Laois 1-17 Down 1-12
Laois got back to winning ways in Division 1B as an early penalty from goalkeeper Fergal Byron set out their stall against Down.
Byron bulged the Down net after a sixth-minute foul on Paul Lawlor. Laois led 1-09 to 0-05 at half time despite losing influential midfielder Padraig Clancy to a hamstring injury.
But Down were not about to let their 100% record slip without a fight. A goal from captain Benny Coulter, set up by Dan Gordon, got them back within two points but late overs from Ross Munnelly, Chris Conway and Colm Kelly ended the Mourne side’s fight-back.