Scotstown booked their place in the Greenfield Foods Monaghan SFC knockout stages with a comfortable 17 point win over Cremartin.
However, it was far from that in the early stages of the opening half and at half-time.
The defending champions opened the scoring through a Darragh Murray point. However, that was quickly cancelled out by Cremartins talisman Stephen Mooney. Mooney used the breeze to register the first of his two-pointers.
The hosts replied with a goal through Francis Maguire and added a Shane Carey point.
However, Cremartin quickly replied with a Mooney free before a number of errors saw a blues player deflect the ball into their own after Kevin Nolans effort was partially saved.
It gave the visitors a one point lead. Whereas, Max Maguire pulled one back, Mooney raised an orange and white flag in quick succession to put his side three points up.
Jack McCarron and Max Maguire registered points either side of a well taken Sean Og McElwaine goal. McElwain and Mooney exchanged points to leave it 2-6 to 1-7 in favour of Scotstown at the break.
With the wind now on the backs of Scotstown, it was expected they would open-up the gap on the scoreboard.
However, Mooney was again to the fore as his free made it a one-point game. However, that was as good as it was going to get for his side.
Shane Carey raised a third green flag for the hosts in the fourth minute of the second-half. Whereas, Rory Beggan opened his two-point account after David Hanley had replied at the opposite end.
Scotstown rattle in the scores
McElwain and McCarron added further scores with Ryan McVicar stemming the flow. Indeed, it was quickly becoming a losing battle as McCarron (free) and Beggan with back-to-back two-pointer frees putting 11 between the sides.
The tide was turned slightly when Conor Eccles raised a green flag. However, that seemed to poke fire in the Scotstown bellies as they reeled of 3-3 in the remaining 10 minutes.
Mattie Maguire, Finaly Foy who was only on the field and Michael Meehan also a second-half substitute showing the depth that is on the bench.
Carey, Maguire and Darren Hughes added the points to give the champions not only a comfortable win but also an advantage on the scoring difference ahead of their final round game against Corduff who are also now into the knockout stages.
It was perhaps the thought of how important every point could be in securing a semi-final or better seeding in the quarter-final that Cremartins third goal from Kevin Atkinson was greeted by disappointment by the victors at the end.
Scotstown completing a 6-18 to 3-10 win. Cremartin now join Truagh in the relegation group.
