Substitute Stephen Kelly, who was sprung from the bench at the beginning of the second half, stunned the home support when he went on to contribute a marvellous 1-8 as Laois fashioned a seven-point victory at Bunclody yesterday.

Underdogs Wexford had led by four points at the interval; but Laois manager Tom Cribbin readied three substitutes during the half-time break. The trio went on to torment the home defence, adding 1-11, all but a single point of their side's second-half total, as the Wexford challenge faded.

Wexford had enjoyed an excellent start, moving into a 0-3 to 01 lead. Corner forward Mattie Forde then robbed Laois full-back Eamonn Delaney to shoot a goal 20 minutes into the half, to give his side a 1-3 to 0-1 lead. Laois, through the promptings of midfielder Colm Parkinson, managed to remain in touch, but Wexford led 1-5 to 0-4 at the break.

Kelly, who came on in place of full forward Paul Dunne, kicked some excellent points on his introduction; but Wexford led 1-9 to 0-10 as the game entered the last 13 minutes.

Kelly brought the sides level 012 to 1-9 with 11 minutes remaining, and the visitors went on to control the closing stages. They picked off some excellent scores, with Kelly goaling five minutes from the end, having blocked down an attempted clearance from Leigh O'Brien.

In total Laois added 1-6 without reply in the final 11 minutes.

Laois: G Dunne; G Ramsbottom, E Delaney, JP Kehoe; D Conroy, K Fitzpatrick (0-1), A Fennelly; J Kealy, C Parkinson (0-1); D Sweeney, P Langton, T Kelly; H Emerson (0-1), P Dunne, M Lawlor (0-2). Subs: S Kelly (1-8) for Dunne; B McDonald (0-1) for Kehoe; D Delaney (0-2) for Langton; N Garvan for Lawlor; T Maher for Emerson.

Wexford: O Murphy; C Morris, P Wallace, P Kehoe; D Breen, J Whelan, B Kavanagh; T Howlin, J Darcey; S Doran (0-2), L O'Brien, M Mahon (0-1); P Forde, J Hegarty (0-2), M Forde (1-4). Subs: S Hughes for Hegarty; N Morris for Kehoe; G Hughes for O'Brien; B Doyle for Darcey.

Referee: B Duff (Kildare).