A much livelier Wexford scored a thoroughly deserved win over wasteful Fermanagh in Brewster Park.
The key score for the winners came in the 22nd minute when full back Gavin Sheehan got on the end of a scintillating move to tap the ball to the net.
That goal was the platform Wexford needed as they led by 1-5 to 0-6 at the break against a lethargic home side who hit 12 wides and missed two good goal chances in the first half. It was a lead that the visitors never lost and their direct running caused all sorts of headaches for a disappointing home side.
The opening quarter was as turgid as they come as one of Fermanagh's few successes Conor Love put the Ernesiders in front with a well-struck point after four minutes.
Wexford’s accurate corner forward Sean Nolan levelled matters in a most scrappy opening.
Paraic Hughes put the Yellowbellies ahead with a soaring effort.
It was then the hots spurned a great goal chance as Garvan Jones’ half-hit effort was well saved by Wexford keeper Darragh Brookes.
Love tied matters and Cian O’Brien, who was surprisingly subbed, put the home side back in front before Sheehan’s crucial goal which put the visitors ahead by 1-02 to 0-03.
Jones narrowed the gap from play before Love struck a fine point with the right foot to level things as Fermanagh also chalked up three wides and were ponderous in their build-up.
Nolan converted a free to put Wexford a point up as Fermanagh’s Fionan O’Brien blazed over the bar when it looked easier to goal from point-blank range at the end of a fine move.
Fermanagh coughed up a few turnovers before the impressive Hughes finished the half with a fine two pointer as Wexford led by two at the interval.
Cian O’Brien pulled one back for the home side to leave a point in it on the resumption, but that was as close as the misfiring home side got.
Hughes and Jones swapped points before Declan Bonner's side suffered a big blow with star midfielder Joe McDade being forced off with an injury.
Nolan tacked on two frees for the Leinster outfit as Fermanagh were punished for indiscretions.
Wexford were a goal up when a well-struck Darragh McGurn two-pointer left just two in it in the 50th minute.
Wexford’s Tom Byrne and Aogan Kelm exchanged points as the hosts tried to get back on track.
But Wexford finished strongly through two points from Nolan and well-finished efforts from sub Cian Hughes and centre-forward Cathal Kehoe.
Fermanagh pressed hard but hit a few bad wides as Darragh McGurn hit the final score.
A disappointing day for the Erne men who now have a tough away assignment against Sligo in what is already looking like a must-win match.
Fermanagh: Sean McNally; Jonny Cassidy, Ronan McCaffrey, Luke Flanagan: Josh Largo Ellis, Shane McGullion, Fionan O’Brien (0-1); Stephen McGullion, Joe McDade; Brandon Horan, Darragh McGurn (0-3,1tp) Ciaran Corrigan; Conor Love (0-3) Garvan Jones (0-3,1f) Cian O’Brien (0-2)
Subs: Aogan Kelm for Ciaran Corrigan (37), Declan McCusker for Joe McDade (45), Conor O’Hanlon for Stephen McGullion (50) Jack Largo Ellis for Luke (Flanagan (54), Garvan Quigley for Cian O’Brien (60),
Wexford: Dara Brookes; Shane Doyle, Gavin Sheehan (1-0), Dylan Furlong; Eoin Porter,Glen Malone; Liam Coleman, Niall Hughes;Pairic Hughes (0-4,1tp) Cathal Kehoe (0-1) Jack Higgins; Tom Byrne, (0-1) Mark Rossiter, Sean Nolan (0-5f)
Subs; Cian Hughes for Glen Malone (49) Eoin Hughes (0-1) for Gavin Sheehan (53), Colm Feeney and Robbie Hughes for Pairic Hughes and Cathal Kehoe (64).
Referee: Enda McFeely (Donegal)
