Having lost recently to Division 1A leaders Kerry and Mayo, Fermanagh got back on the winning trail by beating Dublin 0-09 to 0-08 at Brewster Park.
The Dubs' chances of winning in Enniskillen diminished when wing- back Paul Casey was dismissed for his second bookable offence on 46 minutes.
To their credit, Paul Caffrey's charges, who trailed by 0-02 to 0-05 at half-time, even went in front after a Mossie Quinn free had drawn the sides level at 0-06 apiece, midway through the second half.
Still, there was no repeat of the Dubs' opening weekend success in Tyrone – even though Quinn had a late chance to level it - and the Metropolitans must hand leaders Mayo their first defeat of the league campaign next Saturday night to stand any chance of making the semi-finals.
Missing impressive young full-forward Jonathan McGurn due to his involvement with the county's Under-21s yesterday, Fermanagh got off to a flying start in front of 7,000 spectators. Points from Aiden Little, Sean Doherty, midfielder Mark Murphy and Ryan Keenan had them 0-04 to 0-01 in front inside 27 minutes. Dublin's sole reply was a Quinn free.
Just after Little's fisted point, Conal Keaney was dragged down for a Dublin penalty on 16 minutes. Quinn, who scored a penalty last month against Tyrone, stepped up to take it but Fermanagh stopper Christopher Breen got down brilliantly to tip the spot kick onto the post and away to safety.
Little traded points with Alan Brogan, who was starting his first game since his suspension from the Tyrone game was overturned, before the break to maintain the Ernesiders' three-point lead.
After Casey had been dismissed, Tom Brewster pushed the home side 0-06 to 0-04 in front before Keaney (0-02) and Quinn whittled that lead away.
But Brewster, Eamonn Maguire and Little restored Fermanagh's advantage to 0-09 to 0-07. Quinn then struck another free and in the third minute of injury-time, the St Vincent's marksman had a 40-metre shot to draw the game, but his effort tailed away to the left and wide leaving Charlie Mulgrew's men to celebrate their third win in five league games.
