The Red Hands restored confidence and got their NFL Division One challenge back on track with a compelling second half display.

Goals from Ronan O’Neill and Sean Cavanagh sealed a comfortable win over a Westmeath side that was just a point in arrears at the halfway stage.

Paul Bealin’s side look almost certain to make a quick return to Division Two, having failed to pick up a single point in five games

Denis Glennon opened the scoring in an early Westmeath flourish, and Tyrone lost full back Ronan McNamee with a knee injury after just five minutes.

The Red Hands took the lead in the seventh minute when Sean Cavanagh powered through for a point, nbut Dessie Dolan had the visitors level again, thanks to Glennon’s vision and creativity.

Two Ciaran McGinley points in the space of a minute had the Red Hands ahead by 0-4 to 0-2 with twelve minutes played, but they were unable to shake off a spirited challenge from Paul Bealin’s side.

Kyle Coney, making his first start of the season, probed and prompted, but could not find the vital opening in a well organised Westmeath rearguard, and the Leinster men drew level midway through the half with scores from Glennon and Kieran Martin, who fisted over on the run, following incisive build-up play from Kieran Gavin and Dessie Dolan.

But in the early stages of the second half, the Red Hands stepped it up, with Peter Harte and Mattie Donnelly pushing from deep and the Cavanagh brothers winning vital ball at midfield.

Four points in the space of five minutes saw them go three clear, with goalkeeper Niall Morgan converting a ’45, Connor McAliskey and McGinley also finding the target for a 0-9 to 0-6 advantage.

But Westmeath swung the game back in their favour in the closing stages of the half, with the outstanding Glennon adding another to his tally, and after Egan converted another long range free, they went level when Callum McCormack landed a long range effort.

Tyrone did edge in front in stoppage time with a McAliskey free, leading by 0-10 to 0-9 at the break

But they made an explosive start to the second half, with four points in as many minutes, through Mark Donnelly, Morgan, Shay McGuigan and McAliskey to go five clear.

And they could have had a goal when Donnelly broke clear, but dragged his shot low and wide.

Committing extra men to the defensive effort, Tyrone squeezed the Westmeath attack out for long spells, and attacked with purpose, adding further points through Kyle Coney, who thumped over a long range effort, McGinley and substitute Danny McBride to go seven clear.

But almost from nowhere, the Lakelanders stunned their opponents with a 49th minute goal, Dessie Dolan slipping the ball inside to substitute Ray Connellan, who smashed an unstoppable shot to the roof of the net.

But Tyrone responded with another volley of scores, and put the result beyond doubt in the 55th minute when McAliskey sent substitute Ronan O’Neill clear, and he picked his spot in the bottom corner for a delightful goal.

And Sean Cavanagh sealed a handsome 14 points success with Tyrone’s second goal four minutes from the end.

Tyrone: N Morgan (0-3, 2f, 1 ’45), A McCrory, R McNamee, R McKenna, C Clarke, Mattie Donnelly, P Harte, C Cavanagh (0-1), S Cavanagh (1-2), Ciaran McGinley (0-4), S McGuigan (0-1), C Grugan (0-1), K Coney (0-3, 1f), Mark Donnelly (0-2), C McAliskey (0-5, 2f).

Subs: D McBride (0-1) for McNamee (5), R O’Neill (1-0) for Grugan (H-T), P J Lavery for McGinley (60), P Hughes for McGuigan (60), K Gallagher for Mark Donnelly (60), D Carlin for Mattie Donnelly (65)

Westmeath: D Quinn, S Gilmore, K Gavin, K Maguire, J Dolan, J Gilligan, J Gonoud, D Duffy, P Sharry, D McCormack, G Egan (0-2, 2f), K Martin (0-1), C McCormack (0-1), D Dolan (0-2), D Glennon (0-5).

Subs: R Connellan (1-1) for D McCormack (h-t), Damien Dolan for Gilligan (46), J Egan for C McCormack (52), R Foley for SHarry (58), A Giles for Martin (59)

Referee: B Cassidy (Derry).