Though the scoreline records only a four-point win for Mayo, in truth Fermanagh were well beaten on the day. There was a vast gap between these two sides at the Brewster Park venue, with Mayo shooting 15 wides to Fermanagh's three.

It took the home side, managed by John Maughan, all of 50 minutes to register their first score from play, a point by Shane King, who was later sent off for a high challenge. Fermanagh, who looked shakey from the start, were behind after four minutes when Marty McNicholas pointed.

McNicholas was one of the stars of the Mayo side which tore the Fermanagh defence open in the first half. But the main man of the afternoon was midfielder Colm McManaman, who orchestrated everything that was good about Mayo.

Ten minutes into the game, Fermanagh were awarded a penalty after King was fouled and half forward Rory Gallagher converted from the spot to give his side a two-point lead. But that was the only time Fermanagh were in the lead as points rained in for the Mayo side.

The second half was no different as Mayo registered score after score. Loftus and McNicholas added more points and then, on 50 minutes, King's long-range effort from the left became Fermanagh's first score from play.

That was enough to inspire a mini-revival as substitute Martin McGrath finished with a shot into the back of the net after a wonderful move involving goalkeeper Ronan Gallagher, Paul Brewster and Stephen Maguire.

The revival, though, was too late and, before the end, points were exchanged by Connolly and Rory Gallagher to leave Fermanagh trailing by 2-2 to 12 points.

FERMANAGH: Ronan Gallagher; S Burns, P McGuinness, M Lilly; R McCloskey, T Brewster, R Johnston; P Brewster, D McGrath; S King (0-1), S Maguire, Rory Gallagher (1-1); Raymond Gallagher, S Quinn, S McDermott. Subs: S Wilson, P Courtney, T Callaghan, B Carty, C Courtney, M McGrath (1-0), B McBrien, P Quinn.

MAYO: P Burke; R Connolly, K Cahill, F Costello; N Connolly (0-3), A Roche, A Higgins; C McManaman, D Brady; M McNicholas (0-2), D McDonagh (0-1), J Gill (0-1); R Loftus (0-2), T Mortimer (0-3), D Nestor. Subs: F Kelly, P Coady, M Sheridan, M Coleman, R Walsh, K O'Neill.

Referee: P Fox (Westmeath).