Fermanagh put a dent in Kildare's formidable home record to claim both points in a hard-fought game at Newbridge.

They spent most of the game chasing their opponents and only came through in the closing stages when their top scorer Ray Gallagher pointed from play to give them the narrowest of wins.

Brothers Ray and Rory Gallagher were the chief providers and they scored all but two points of Fermanagh's tally.

Kildare took the lead with a great opportunistic goal. A fine pass by Cathal Sheridan found Padraig Brennan behind the Fermanagh defence and he punched the ball to the net for the only goal of the game.

This score was the difference between the sides for most of the game as both teams squandered chances. Kildare lost midfielder Dermot Earley with an ankle injury in the first half.

Kildare's Anthony Rainbow was sent off following a challenge on Rory Gallagher. He was followed to the line by Fermanagh's Raymond Johnston, who was dismissed following a separate incident later in the half which ended with Kildare leading by 1-5 to 0-5.

Fermanagh played for most of the game without full forward Sean Quinn who was also stretchered off with a leg injury six minutes before the end of the first half.

Karl O'Dwyer edged Kildare in front again but the sides were level for the fourth time thanks to a point by wing back Tommy Callaghan.

A well taken free by O'Dwyer put Kildare ahead again but it was to be their last score. Fermanagh's accuracy was a little better and a score each by the Gallagher brothers inside the last two minutes was enough to give Fermanagh victory.

Fermanagh: P Maguire; P McGuinness, P Courtney, M Farry; T Callaghan (0-1), T Collins, K Gallagher; P Brewster (0-1), M Green; K Cassidy, Rory Gallagher (0-3), R Johnson; Ray Gallagher (0-8), S Quinn, S King. Subs: M Lilly for Farry, T Brewster for Green, S McDermott for Cassidy, S Maguire, for Quinn.

Kildare: C Byrne; B Lacey, R Quinn, A Rainbow; D Hughes, G Ryan, M Wright; R Sweeney, D Earley; C O'Reilly, K O'Dwyer (0-3) K Doyle (0-1); P Brennan, (1-1), T Fennin, (0-4) C Sheridan. Subs: G Keane for Earley, P McCormack for Sheridan.

Referee: A Mangan (Kerry).