Armagh gave themselves a lifeline in their battle against relegation with a dramatic late equalising goal at Healy Park.

It was substitute Niall Grimley who rose high to punch home a delivery from another sub, Aaron Kernan, in the fourth minute of stoppage time.

Tyrone, already promoted, made it clear they intended to offer no favours to their neighbours, and when they led by four point with just a couple of minutes to play, they looked set to extend their 100 per cent record.

Stefan Campbell’s six points haul was in the end to prove vital for Kieran McGeeney’s side, who can salvage their Division Two status with a win over Derry next weekend.

Ronan O’Neill was on target early on, his first a fisted effort after just 18 seconds, before he added a free.

Armagh’s top scorer Stefan Campbell slotted over a free to get their survival bid going, and they remained very much in contention throughout the opening half.

Tyrone channelled men behind the ball, forcing their opponents to move the ball laterally, and they were able to break at pace from the back to add brilliant long range scores from Connor Connor McAliskey and Richie Donnelly.

Youngster Rory Brennan displayed an ability to read the game, nipping in to avert a couple of dangerous situations.

However, the Orchard men did manage to find the openings for Colm Watters to hit a couple of points, with Aidan Forker also hitting the target from distance.

Campbell had a couple of chances to convert frees, but failed to find the target, and it was the home side who stayed in front with a second glorious effort from Richie Donnelly.

Tyrone had a glorious goal chance when Tiernan McCann’s incisive pass sent McAliskey through, but he blazed his shot over the bar.

And it was McAliskey’s third point that sent the Division Two leaders in with a 0-8 to 0-6 interval lead.

Tyrone, now with the driving wind and rain in their backs, extended the lead through O’Neill, thanks to Niall Sludden’s perfectly timed pass

But Gavin McParland was a growing threat up front, winning the free that Campbell slotted over.

A superbly struck ’45 from the Armagh sharpshooter narrowed the gap to one, but once again, a personal shoot-out saw O’Neill respond with his fifth.

It was looking good for Tyrone when two Darren McCurry frees pushed them into a four points lead, and even more bleak for the Orchard men as Watters was sent off on a second booking with 12 minutes to play.

The Armagh men had gone 45 minutes without a score from play when substitute Tony Kernan landed a long range effort, and it was Kernan who provided the delivery for another sub, Grimley, to punch to the net deep into stoppage time.

Tyrone: N Morgan, A McCrory, P Hampsey, C McCarron, N Sludden, R Brennan, T McCann, C Cavanagh, M Donnelly, P Harte, R O’Neill (0-5, 3f), R Donnelly (0-2), D McCurry (0-2, 2f), S Cavanagh, C McAliskey (0-3).

Subs: M Bradley (0-1) for Hart (5), B Tierney for Sludden (51), Conall McCann for McAliskey (56), P McNulty for R Donnelly (59)

Armagh: P Morrison, A Mallon, C Vernon, S Heffron, M Shields, S Connell, A Forker (0-1), J McElroy, E Rafferty, R Grugan, M McKenna, C O’Hanlon, C Watters (0-2), S Campbell (0-6, 5f, 1 ’45), G McParland.

Subs: T Kernan (0-1) for O’Hanlon (h-t), N Grimley (1-0) for Rafferty (55), S Forker for McPaland (59), A Findon for McKenna (63), J Hall for Campbell 68)

Referee: P Neilan (Roscommon).