Scorers: Dublin: D O'Mahoney 1-1, J Noonan 0-2 (2f), G Cullen 0-1

Kildare: J Kavanagh 0-2 (2f), D Flynn 0-2 (1f), T Archibold, E McCormack (1f), D McCormack 0-1 each

Dublin’s attempt to clinch a Leinster football championship three-in-a-row ended in frustration, as they let a three-point second half lead slip.

Plucky Kildare earned a 0-7 to 1-4 draw against the champions at sunny Páirc Tailteann, Navan this afternoon.

A late 35-metre free from Lillywhites’ forward James Kavanagh saw the sides level for the third time in a disappointing encounter which saw just three points inside the first 20 minutes.

Imposing midfielder Declan O’Mahoney had goaled for Tommy Lyons’ side after 26 minutes to hand the metropolitans a two-point lead at the interval, but a run of three straight second half points from Derek McCormack, substitute Eamon McCormack and Darryl Flynn saw the Lilywhites back level by the 47th minute.

Two Johnny Noonan frees after 30 seconds and 16 minutes opened the Dublin account, but the free-running forward tandem of Kavanagh (12 minutes) and Tommy Archibold (24) had Kildare level at 0-2 apiece. Wing forward Graham Cullen, arguably Dublin’s best attacker of the afternoon, had a goal chance brilliantly tipped around his posts by Kildare stopper Thomas Corley in the 22nd minute before Flynn’s first of a 0-2 tally came two minutes later.

Cullen however was to make amends as his fisted pass drew the last line of Kildare defence, and the onrushing O’Mahoney was well-placed to rifle past Corley for the half-time lead, at 1-2 to 0-3. Ballyboden star O’Mahoney, who trialled with AFL outfit the Sydney Swans two years ago, pointed seven minutes after the restart, but that was to be the only Dublin score for 15 minutes.

Kildare took a stranglehold territorially as first Derek McCormack struck over from 40 metres out in the 38th minute. Sallins’ forward Eamonn McCormack pointed a free and Flynn’s second levelled at 1-3 to 0-6. Cullen’s first point with eight minutes remaining put the Dubs back in front, but Kavanagh had the last say, meaning the sides must meet again, next Saturday at the same venue (kick-off, 5pm).