Laois were six points clear as the game entered injury-time but managed to concede two goals to allow the visitors leave with a point.
Aaron Amond scored both goals, with the equaliser coming from the penalty spot in the 74th minute after sub Ross Dunphy had been fouled by Laois sub Cormac Murphy.
It was no less than Carlow deserved as they created a mountain of goal chances but a combination of poor execution, great blocks and saves from Killian Roche meant they didn’t take any until the game entered injury-time.
Laois started on the front foot and were seven points clear by half-time following two well-taken goals.
Rioghan Murphy pointed and then scored a goal when he palmed in after great work by Niall Dunne and Evan O’Carroll.
Then, just before half-time, Niall Dunne powered towards goal and was upended, with Mark Barry slotting home the penalty to make it 2-9 to 0-8.
Laois could never shake Carlow off though, as the visitors managed to keep the gap at around six points for the majority of the second half.
Carlow did finally get their goal as the game entered injury-time, Amond blasting home from close range. And the same player then claimed a draw from a penalty with the final kick of the game.
Laois are away to Wicklow next while Carlow will host Fermanagh. SCORERS – Laois: M Barry 1-6 (1-0 pen, 0-1f); R Murphy 1-2; E O’Carroll 0-4 (2f); K Swayne, C Heffernan, B Byrne, S Fingleton, E Buggie 0-1 ech Carlow: A Amond 2-2 (1-0 pen); C Doyle 0-5 (3 45s, 1f); D Foley 0-4 (4f); C Crowley, C Lomax 0-2 each; P McDonnell, E Molloy 0-1 each.
LAOIS: K Roche; B Byrne, M Timmons, D Kavanagh; S Fingleton, S Lacey, E Buggie; C Heffernan, M Dempsey; M Barry, E Lowry, K Swayne; R Murphy, E O’Carroll, N Dunne. Subs: P Kingston for Dunne (50), K Lillis for Dempsey (53), C Murphy for Barry and B Daly for O’Carroll (both 61), C Burke for Heffernan (65).
CARLOW: J Furey; P McDonnell, M Furey, E Molloy; M Bambrick, J Clarke, C Hulton; C Doyle, N Hickey; C Byrne, C Lomax, A Amond; L Gavin, D Foley, C Crowley. Subs: R Dunphy for Lomax (41), K Murphy for Gavin (44), S Buggy for Hulton (50), C Moran for Hickey (53), J Phiri for Clarke (59).
REF: P Neilan (Roscommon)
