Forward and skipper Mattie Forde returned to the Wexford starting line-up to point his side to victory over Meath at Wexford Park in the NFL Division 1A on a scoreline of 0-10 to 1-05.
In a low-scoring first half, Wexford had established a 0-03 lead after fifteen minutes. Three free kicks from Forde were answered by one point from Meath through Ray Magee on eleven minutes.
Scores from Meath's Joe Sheridan, a goal scorer against Galway last Sunday, and Damien Byrne and a response from Wexford's Scott Doran on 29 minutes saw the sides go into the break level at four points apiece.
The second half opened with Meath losing half forward Shane McKeigue eleven minutes after the restart for an off-the-ball incident involving Gary O'Grady.
Two points from John Hudson settled Wexford nerves with the finish line in sight, but they struggled to score in the final quarter, pointing just once more from a Forde free.
They lost full back Niall Murphy for a second bookable offence with ten minutes to go and were made to sweat when a Joe Sheridan goal brought the Royals to within two points of them on 1-04 to 0-09. However, Ray Magee's point on 69 minutes would be Meath's last and Wexford held on for the win.
Filed by Barry J Whyte
