Down seconds have gone about their work this season in a quiet fashion.

They are picking up points away from home and look as though they could make a real push for promotion.

Johnny Lennon's side has unearthed a real diamond in James Cunningham and he scored again on Saturday. While a complete newcomer to the game, he has taken to it like a duck to water.

The Junior 4 clash against the PSNI was played at Carrickfergus Leisure Centre on Friday night when Down gave a debut to young Gavin Laverty, who looks a real prospect.

He has pace, is enthusiastic and is certainly one to watch over the coming months of the season.

The police were able to field a very experienced side, but Down played well, with Johnny and Chris Lennon holding things together at the back.

The home side opened the scoring in the 18th minute from play following a mix-up in the Down defence which allowed a forward to shoot past Philip Brown, who was deputising for Johnny Briggs.

Brown played well on the night and produced a number of great stops to keep his side in the game. With just a one-goal deficit, the locals were always of confident of forcing their way back into the game and this they did.

The experienced Colin Gibson led by example in the middle of the park and was outstanding on the night, while Cunningham, who certainly knows where the goal is, also played well.

This Saturday, Down face derby rivals, Ballynahinch seconds at Malone Park, and will be hoping to secure both points to maintain their early season form.