The goalkeeper thought he had kept the ball out but the umpire signalled differently as Tipperary celebrated a goal.

It meant they led 1-6 to 0-8 at half-time.

Tipperary got off to a good start to the second half when the excellent Aylward grabbed his second score of the game.

From there Down once again took control by posting four points without reply.

The second half was a scrappy affair with possession lost and scoring opportunities squandered by both sides.

Sweeney eventually got Tipperary back into the mix on 53 minutes with a converted free after he had been fouled.

The Clarke brothers each pointed again on 63 and 65 minutes respectively to seemingly put the game beyond Tipperary.

It was not the case, however, as the visitors battled hard to force their way back into the game for the second time.

Tipp’s play was patient and probing, with players careful to pick the right pass as they searched for badly-needed points.

Down got frustrated and began to commit fouls. Barry Grogan pointed a free on 69 minutes before Sweeney added another a minute later.

Then deep into injury time, after Down had needlessly given away possession, George Hannigan won a free in dangerous territory. The pressure rested on Barry Grogan’s shoulder. From 35 metres the Aherlow club-man kicked the last ball of the game confidently over the bar.

The referee blew for full-time with Tipperary having secured a draw. It was no more than the efforts deserved.

Reflecting on the game, John Evans said, “We were a bit naïve in front of goal and we didn’t take our chances but we’re happy to get a point after coming this long way. It’ll give us a bit of a lift which we badly needed.”

TIPPERARY: Paul Fitzgerald, Niall Curran, Ciaran McDonald, Andrew Morrisey, Christopher Aylward (0-2), Robbie Costigan, Ciaran McGrath, George Hannigan, Seamus Grogan, Brian Mulvihill (1-0), Philip Austin (0-1), John Cagney, Conor Sweeney (0-5), Brian Coen, Barry Grogan (0-3). Subs - Stephen Hahessy, Sean Carey, Peter Acheson, Alan Rockett

DOWN: Brendan McVeigh, Daniel McCartan, Brendan McArdle, Damian Rafferty, Kevin McKernan, James Colgan, Conor Garvey, Ambrose Rodgers, Kalum King, Conor Maginn (0-1), Martin Clarke (0-5), Paul McComiskey (0-2), Conor Laverty (0-3), John Clarke (0-3), Brendan Coulter. Subs - Peter Fitzpatrick, Stephen Kearney, Mark Poland, Gerard McGovern.