Wexford posted a fourth emphatic victory on the trot, but promotion eluded them in the Allianz Football League Division 4 following Sunday's high-stakes duel with Longford at Chadwicks Wexford Park.
Indeed, with Longford only requiring a fifth win on the bounce to clinch an immediate return back to the third division, the lack of bite Paddy Christie’s men brought was hugely surprising.
The midlanders did recover early on to draw on 1-02 to 0-05 through an eighteenth minute Daniel Mimnagh goal.
But Wexford asserted by 2-10 to 1-03 by half-time, aided by a smart 30th minute goal from defender Glen Malone, and pretty much lorded matters.
In fact, Wexford might have emerged with a considerable goals tally but for some poor finishing, with Conor Kinsella, Malone and Richie Waters among several near misses for the home-side.
And despite extending their winning run, Wexford ultimately miss out an escape from the basement division for the first time since 2017 after Leitrim accounted for Tipperary.
Regardless, John Hegarty’s charges are bouncing positively into their home Leinster championship first round derby against Carlow on 7 April, with Longford hosting Meath that same afternoon.
It took a mere 34 seconds for Wexford wing-back Glen Malone to draw first-blood with a point from the right wing.
And the hosts were gifted a goaling chance in the fifth minute after the Longford goal was left gaping by their adventurous 'keeper.
Custodian Micheál Hughes had drifted out some 50 yards off his line on the left wing when his attempted cross-field pass was intercepted by Conor Kinsella – but his lobbed effort drifted wide.
Nevertheless, Wexford appeared to be establishing control when easing 0-04 to no-score clear inside thirteen minutes as Niall Hughes, Kevin O’Grady and Seán Nolan (free) chipped in.
But Longford surged back to parity on 1-02 to 0-05 after 18 minutes as Daniel Mimnagh and Mark Hughes points were added to by a Mimnagh goal after the instrumental Michael Quinn sent him haring in from the left edge of the square.
Wexford responded with Seán Nolan (mark) and Conor Kinsella scores, and the home-side were further bolstered after a trip on Kevin O’Grady by Dessie Reynolds allowed Mark Rossiter to blast open a 1-07 to 1-02 advantage from the resultant penalty on 27 minutes.
Three minutes later Wexford were soaring 2-08 to 1-02 clear when Eoghan Nolan located Glen Malone bursting into a pocket of space to unleash an unstoppable drive to the net.
And a couple of further Seán Nolan scores (one free) had Wexford in firm control by half-time (2-10 to 1-02).
Ben Brosnan was sprung from the Wexford bench at the change-of-ends as the 36-year-old established a new appearance record for the Senior footballers on his 175th outing – surpassing Glen Malone’s elder brother, Brian.
And the purple and gold went close to planting a third goal within two minutes of the restart when Páraic Hughes’ found Kilanerin club-mate Conor Kinsella with an over-the-top pass only for Kinsella to have his close-range effort smothered by the ‘keeper.
Longford shot back with a goal on 42 minutes, as Mark Hughes claimed a ‘mark’ from which he found Cathal McCabe stealing inside to shave the gap to 2-10 to 2-03.
But Wexford were steadied with points from Seán Nolan (two) and Mark Rossiter before Glen Malone forced a save and Ben Brosnan blasted the rebound wide on 51 minutes (2-13 to 2-05).
While Longford challenged keenly during the closing quarter – Patrick Fox and Dylan Farrell each having goaling attempts thwarted – the home-side never let their grip slip.
Wexford: Rory Tubritt; Eoin Porter, Gavin Sheehan, Darragh Lyons; Glen Malone (1-02), Páraic Hughes, Dylan Furlong (0-01); Liam Coleman, Niall Hughes (0-02); Kevin O’Grady (0-02), Eoghan Nolan, Mark Rossiter (1-02, 1-00 penalty); Seán Nolan (0-08, 5 frees, 2 marks), Graeme Cullen, Conor Kinsella (0-01).
Subs: Ben Brosnan for E. Nolan (HT), Richie Waters for Cullen (52), Liam O’Connor for Lyons (62), Cathal Walsh for O’Grady (62), Dean O’Toole for S. Nolan (65).
Longford: Micheál Hughes; Liam Hughes, Oisín O’Toole, Patrick Fox; Rúairí Harkin, Ryan Moffett, Dessie Reynolds; Darren Gallagher (0-02, 1 free, 1 ‘45, Paddy Kiernan; Daniel Mimnagh (1-02), Joseph Hagan (0-01 free), Daniel Reynolds; Mark Hughes (0-04, 3 frees), Cathal McCabe (1-00), Michael Quinn.
Subs: Bryan Masterson for Harkin (45), Dylan Farrell for Daniel Reynolds (45), Jayson Matthews for Kiernan (50), Bryn Peters for McCabe (70+1), Dáire Duggan for Hagan (70+3).
Referee: Alan Coyle (Westmeath).
