NHL DIVISION TWO: WEXFORD 3-15 WESTMEATH 2-14: WEXFORD required a late goal from Stephen Doyle to kill off a dogged challenge from Westmeath at Wexford Park yesterday.

Two goals from Rory Jacob after 16 and 21 minutes and the accuracy of Paul Carley helped Wexford lead 2-9 to 0-7 at the interval as Brendan Murtagh and impressive centre back Andrew Mitchell fought hard to keep the visitors in touch.

Murtagh’s two secon- half goals helped Westmeath reduce the deficit to 2-14 to 2-13 before Doyle struck to ease Wexford’s concern.

WEXFORD: D Fitzhenry; M Travers, D O'Connor, B O'Leary; R Kehoe, S Nolan, C Kenny; C Farrell, M Jacob; S Doyle (1-1), A Shore (0-3), P Carley (0-7, one free); P Atkinson (0-1), S Banville (0-2), R Jacob (2-1). Subs: D Lyng for Atkinson (40 mins), E Quigley for Kehoe (48 mins); N Kirwan for Carley (58 mins); D Redmond for Farrell (65 mins); E Martin for Doyle (70 mins).

WESTMEATH:P Burke; D Curley, P Greville, C Jordan; J Shaw, A Mitchell (0-1, free), E Price; P Dowdall, B Connaughton; B Smyth (0-2), D McCormack (0-2), C Curley (0-1); K Cosgrove, B Murtagh (2-6, four frees), D McNicholas (0-2). Subs: A Price for Cosgrove (40 mins), N Flanagan for Curley (58 mins), A Aughey for Jordan (69 mins).

Referee: M Wadding (Waterford).