Down seconds are hoping that the 18 points they currently have will be enough to retain their Junior 4 status this season.

Having failed to field a team for their previous two scheduled league games, Johnny Lennon was able to select a full strength side for last week's trip to Parkview.

Several weeks ago, Parkview's Willie Young destroyed Down single-handedly at Malone Park and the former Larne striker was at it again last weekend when he weighed in with a hat-trick.

Down are in a mid-table position and will be hoping that they can take something from their final league game of the season against Ballynahinch seconds at Langley Road to retain their place in Junior 4.

Against Parkview last weekend, Down dominated the early exchanges and were playing with confidence. They also created a few early chances, but couldn't put the ball in the back of the net.

Clifford Lennon fired narrowly wide after a sweeping move involving brother Chris and James Cunningham. Down's skipper also saw a number of short corner strikes saved.

Also in the first half, Philip Brown and Willie Price were unfortunate not to open Down's account.

Parkview opened the scoring in the 20th minute when they caught the visitors cold with a breakaway goal when left goalkeeper, Johnny Briggs, cruelly exposed.

Ten minutes later, Young scored the first of his three goals from short corner set pieces when he drove the ball past Briggs and two Down defenders on the line.

And with the visitors looking for the interval whistle to allow them to reorganise, Young scored a second goal from a short corner.

After the break, Down were encouraged by the fact that Robert Carberry and Chris Lennon were making the most of room they had on the right flank and the visitors deservedly hauled themselves back into the game.

Chris Lennon fired over a great cross for brother Johnny to steer the ball past the 'keeper to make it 3-1. Within minutes, Down had pulled it back to 3-2 when Price scored with a superb short corner strike.

The locals had their tails in the air and were confident of drawing level when they were punished for conceding a needless free hit. A quick free saw Parkview awarded a penalty corner and Young completed his hat-trick with another clinical strike.

With just Ballynahinch seconds to come, Down will be hoping that the sides below them who have games in hand will not get any closer to them and they can look forward to another season in Junior 4.