Two goals in four first-half minutes proved crucial as Dundalk moved four points clear at the top of the First Division table with victory over Wexford Youths in Oriel Park.
John Gill's side made tough work of beating the bottom-of-the-table side, however, as the visitors remained very much in contention until the final whistle blew.
Mick Wallace's men had started the brighter of the two sides and had strong penalty appeals waved away by referee Neil Doyle on 11 minutes after Patsy Malone took a tumble inside the area under a challenge from Aidan Lynch.
Dundalk then took the lead totally against the run of play on 20 minutes when John Flanagan headed home a David Crawley corner totally unmarked.
Within four minutes the table toppers had doubled their advantage when Robbie Martin slotted home from the edge of the area after Jamie Duffy had caught Thomas Hawkins in possession.
Both Martin and Jamie Duffy had good chances to add to their side's advantage before the break but failed to do so as Wexford came right back into it on the restart.
The visitors deservedly pulled a goal back on 57 minutes when Malone tapped home to an empty net after Chris Bennion could only parry clear from Richie Fitzgerald's effort.
The Youths were then unlucky not to draw level on 72 minutes when Anto Russell lobbed Bennion only to see his effort go inches the wrong side of the post.
Dundalk should have wrapped matters up two minutes later when Paul Crowley was slipped through but despite the midfielder blazing over, the home side held on for a valuable three points.
Dundalk: Bennion; Flanagan, Lynch (Marney, 57 mins), Ryan, Crawley; Duffy, Shiels, Crowley, O’Connor; Vaughan (Farrell, 89 mins), Martin (Mulvenna, 83 mins).
Wexford Youths: J Russell; Larkin, Hawkins (McGuire, 82 mins), Lawlor (Wadding, 44 mins); Doyle, Sinnott, A Russell, Malone, O’Loughlin (Browne, 75 mins); Kelly, Fitzgerald.
Referee: Neil Doyle (Dublin).
