THIS end-to-end championship cracker had the sizeable crowd at floodlit Healy Park on the edge of their Sunday night seats.

Strabane and Augher served up a super spectacle that swung the latter's way thanks to a Francis McMeel goal late on.

This turned out to be one of the most compelling ties played in any grade for quite a while, yet it had barely got into stride when a worrying injury to Strabane corner-back Kieran O'Kane caused a 25-minute delay in the first half.

Kieran received medical treatment on the ground before being taken to hospital by ambulance, the Sigerson's then losing half-back Aaron McLaughlin to injury only two minutes after the game resumed. Best wishes are extended to both players.

It was tough for the North Tyrone team to refocus in such circumstances but to their credit they did so and Augher also picked up the tempo to provide the ingredients for a real treat of a tie.

Strabane were 0-3 to 0-2 ahead before the injury to O'Kane, Warner Mullen launching their account from a first minute free and the same player scoring in open play four minutes later.

Jamie Donnelly got Augher going with a free in between but Strabane's third point sailed over courtesy of Sean Ferry on the 10-minute mark. Augher replied with a second Donnelly free before play was held up because of the injury to Kieran O'Kane.

Play had only just resumed when Aaron McLaughlin also departed the scene for medical attention, Augher then drawing level thanks to a third Donnelly conversion.

The St Macartan's subsequently took the lead for the first time after Barry McKenna finished off a well constructed move for their fourth point.

Ryan O'Kane squared matters when supporting his forward line to drill over a good point and Martin McNulty gave them back the lead by pointing not long after.

Aidan Cassidy was having more of an influence around the middle for Augher who pushed forward to decent effect, Donnelly lofting over an equaliser.

Mullen landed a free before a swift Augher counter-attack ended with half-back Kevin Hackett hooking over a delightful left-footed point to tie things up once more.

Another Mullen free edged Strabane ahead again and midfielder Richard O'Neill claimed the final point of an elongated first half as his side went in 0-8 to 0-6 to the good.

Conor Hackett burst through to fist over Augher's seventh point shortly after the resumption, Jamie Donnelly then bringing the Valley side level.

The influential Mullen had a placed ball point and one in general play as Strabane regained their two-point lead approaching the midway juncture of the last half.

It was no quarter asked or given stuff as two wholly committed teams strove to secure a quarter-final berth.

Donnelly pulled one back but McNulty fired over two tidy points either side of a Donnelly free to leave Strabane leading by 0-12 to 0-10 with eight minutes remaining.

Two minutes later the picture altered as Francis McMeel took up a dangerous position in space, Strabane wrong-footed as Kevin Hackett found him. McMeel stayed calm and picked his spot before rifling home the only goal of the game.

Strabane responded well with McNulty earning a free Mullen tapped over to level the match at 1-10 to 0-13.

As added time dawned, Frank McElroy's hard work won a free that Donnelly sent between the posts to establish a one-point advantage for the St Macartan's.

James O'Reilly in the Strabane nets saved from Martin McElhatton, Artie Kelly coming close just before with an effort for Augher. Strabane tried to salvage the situation but the St Macartan's rearguard made a couple of vital clearances to seal a last eight meeting with Owen Roes.