Wexford outstripped Leitrim when crafting five of the last six points to secure a vital league victory at Chadwicks Wexford Park.
Leitrim were seeking a third straight success having accounted for Waterford and London, and the class of Keith Beirne had Andy Moran's men firmly in the hunt on 0-14 apiece after 64 minutes.
But Wexford, with midfielder Niall Hughes outstanding, controlled the closing stages to give their ambitions of promotion for the first time since 2017 a serious shot in the arm.
It is Wexford's first victory since last year’s Leinster Championship success over Offaly – enduring five defeats and one draw during the interim.
An eventful first half saw Wexford make light of facing the strong wind to craft two unanswered points inside 90 seconds through Mark Rossiter.
A nip-and-tuck pattern quickly established as clever Leitrim full-forward Beirne bridged the gap on 0-02 apiece by the fifth minute.
Match stats from today's well-deserved victory for Wexford. Well done to all concerned. 👏 pic.twitter.com/NsBNErCjYG
— Wexford GAA (@OfficialWexGAA) February 19, 2023
And the sides remained inseparable on 0-03 after 13 minutes – Kevin O’Grady blasting over a Wexford goaling chance before Beirne responded – but only after Leitrim struck a streak of wides.
Wexford capitalised to create the first real daylight after 25 minutes (0-06 to 0-03) as Rossiter (two frees) and Ben Brosnan (mark) delivered while both goals enjoyed let-offs.
Mark Rossiter also threatened the Leitrim net on 28 minutes from a Seán Nolan assist, while Evan Sweeney and Wexford 'keeper Darragh Brooks (free) traded points.
And some umpiring confusion over a Leitrim 'score’ was settled after referee Fintan Pierce consulted with a linesman.
Regardless, the Connacht men enjoyed a fruitful finish to the half to close to within 0-08 to 0-07 at the break as turnovers in Wexford territory culminated in scores for Sweeney, Pearce Dolan and Beirne.
Although the home-side stretched 0-10 to 0-07 clear after 40 minutes – Mark Rossiter delivering two more placed-balls – Leitrim appeared to be asserting when finally turning the tables after 52 minutes (0-12 to 0-10) with Beirne’s excellence continuing to shine through with four additions as sub Tom Prior also registered.
An engaging finish was added to as Wexford flipped the tables by 0-13 to 0-12 on 60 minutes through Niall Hughes and two frees from ‘keeper Brooks.
While Tom Prior and Keith Beirne restored parity for a sixth time after 64 minutes (0-14 each), determined Wexford produced the winning flourish as impressive midfielder Niall Hughes, Mark Rossiter (two), full-back Brian Molloy and substitute Cian Hughes delivered the priceless spoils for John Hegarty’s purple and gold.
Wexford: Darragh Brooks (0-04, 4f); Brian Cushe, Brian Molloy (0-01), Michael Furlong; Páraic Hughes, Dylan Furlong, Glen Malone; Liam Coleman, Niall Hughes (0-02); Conor Kinsella, Eoghan Nolan, Kevin O’Grady (0-01); Ben Brosnan (0-01m), Mark Rossiter (0-08, 5f, 1m), Seán Nolan (0-01).
Subs: Cian Hughes (0-01) for Brosnan (44), Conor Carty for Kinsella (49), Darragh Lyons for D Furlong (65), Cathal Walsh for Coleman (70).
Leitrim: Darren Maxwell; Paddy Maguire, Mark Diffley, Tom Quinn; Conor Farrell, Shane Quinn, Riordan O’Rourke; Pearce Dolan (0-01), Donal Wrynn; Darragh Rooney, Jack Heslin, Domhnaill Flynn; Evan Sweeney (0-02), Keith Beirne (0-10, 3f, 1m), Jordan Reynolds.
Subs: Tom Prior (0-02) for Tom Quinn (ht), Paul Keaney for Rooney (49), Adam Reynolds for Farrell (61), Diarmuid Kelleher for Flynn (65), Mark Plunkett for Sweeney (68).
Referee: Fintan Pierce (Offaly).
