Sligo 4-14 Wexford1-17:ADRIAN MARREN bagged three goals as Sligo survived a stirring second-half comeback by battling Wexford at Markievicz Park.

Marren scored a penalty after a minute of the first half and went on to complete his hat-trick in stoppage time at the end of the match.

Ciaran Lyng got Wexford off the mark after seven minutes but the home side went on to dominate as the half progressed.

Johnny Davey set Marren up for another goal in the 20th minute and Wexford were left with a mountain to climb when Alan Costello added another goal a minute before half-time.

Lyng kept the visitors ticking over with well-taken points but Sligo led 3-7 to 0-7) at the interval.

Sligo stretched their lead with three unanswered points at the start of the second half and they were 11 points in front when Wexford hit their purple patch.

PJ Banville got a goal in the 55th minute to signal the start of a blistering seven-minute spell during which they scored 1-5 without reply.

Just three points separated the sides after 62 minutes. But points by Alan Costello and Brendan Egan steadied the ship for the home side and Marren’s third goal in added time ended Wexford’s hopes.

SLIGO: P Greene; C Harrison, B Kennedy, R Donovan; J Davey, S McManus, P McGovern; E Mullen, B Egan (0-1); M Breheny (0-2), A Costello (1-3), P Hughes (0-1), C McGee (0-1), J Clarke (0-1), A Marren (3-5). Subs: D Maye for Breheny (57 mins), T Taylor for McGee (59), D Rooney for McGovern (62), K Cawley for Hughes (68).

WEXFORD: A Masterson; B Mulligan, G Molloy, B Malone; L Chin, A Flynn (0-3), A Doyle; R Quinlivan, A Shore; R Barry (0-3), C Lyng (0-5, one free), B Brosnan (0-1); PJ Banville (1-0), E Bradley, P Byrne (0-2). Subs: C Morris (0-1) for Quinlivan (44 mins), S Roche (0-2 two frees) for Brosnan (44 mins) R Tierney for Flynn (58 mins) K O'Grady for Banville (58 mins)

Referee: R O'Donnell, Donegal.