Wexford Youths climbed off the bottom of the First Division table when an adventurous, attacking performance paid off with a 2-0 win over a luckless Monaghan United at Century Homes Park.
Goals in either half from Patsy Malone and Paul Murphy sealed Youths’ victory.
But it was Monaghan United who made all the early running.
Ian Maher struck the inside of the post with a low drive in the 11th minute, and only a great full-stretch save from Wexford keeper Jason Russell denied Philip Sheppard soon after.
Then United midfielder Darren Meenan was guilty of a woeful miss from three yards out.
Wexford punished the home side for their wastefulness in the 31st minute.
Conor Sinnot’s corner bounced around a crowded box until Malone deftly planted a volley beyond Monaghan keeper Brendan Kennedy and inside the post.
Aaron Mooney blasted off the post again as Monaghan went in search of the equaliser.
Wexford survived the pressure, at times somewhat desperately, and extended their lead in the 56th minute with a peach of a goal.
Murphy beat the advancing Kennedy to a through ball, chipped it over the United keeper’s head and ran on to plant his header in to the empty net.
United’s hopes of mounting a late recovery were dealt a devastating blow when full-back Paul Whelan was sent off in the 72nd minute after picking up a second yellow card.
Kevin Williamson struck the woodwork a third time for Monaghan in the closing stages.
Monaghan United: Kennedy; Whelan, Mooney, Malone (Lanigan 68), Williamson; Maher, Tierney (Gartland 84), McCrossan; Meenan, Sheppard, Hand (Collins 60).
Wexford Youths: J Russell; Larkin, Hawkins, A Russell, Lawlor; Malone, Kelly, Sinnot, Fox (Fitzgerald h-time (Dempsey 88) 6); Doyle, Murphy (O’Loughlin 70).
Referee: P Rogers Dublin
