Mayo made the long journey to Portlaoise worth while when they came away with two valuable league points.

The visitors, who were playing only their second game in the competition, got off to a dream start with points by Martin McNicholas and James Gill.

In between, David Nestor scored a great goal after 10 minutes. Laois slowly but surely came more into the game in the second quarter and points from Michael Lawlor and Chris Conway left them trailing by that goal at halftime, 0-5 to 1-5.

On the changeover, Laois narrowed the gap with a great point from Gregory Ramsbottom, but Noel Connelly got one back.

Points from Ian Fitzgerald and Chris Conway left a minimum between the sides after 45 minutes. However, when Mayo introduced the long-serving James Nallen and Maurice Sheridan, the tide turned against the home side.

With time almost up and a goal separating the sides, Laois had one final chance, but Chris Conway's effort finished wide.

Mayo: P Burke; R Connelly, K Cahill, F Costello; N Connelly (0-1), A Roche, A Higgins; C McMenaman, D Brady (0-1); M McNicholas (0- 1), D McDonagh, J Gill (0-5), R Loftus (0-1), T Mortimer, D Nestor (1-1). Subs: J Nallen for D McDonagh, M Sheridan for R Loftus, S Carolan for T Mortimer.

Laois: F Byron; P Leonard, E Delaney, JP Kehoe; A Fennelly, P Conway, R McEvoy; J Kealy (0-1), N Garvan (0-1); K Kelly, C Conway (0-4), M Lawlor (0-1); P Langton, I Fitzgerald (0-3), G Ramsbottom (0-1). Subs: C Parkinson, JP Keogh, B McDonald for G Ramsbottom, P Dunne for K Kelly.

Referee: C Broderick (Co Down).

In the Ulster minor club football championship at Shaw's Road, Belfast, Cargin from Antrim outshot Fermanagh champions Teemore in yesterday's replay by 1-14 to 1-8 to book a semi-final place with Cavan Gaels on December 23rd.

Scorers - Cargin: (C Close, D McKeever 0-5 each, P McKeever 1-0, C Scullion 0-2, M McCann, O O'Neill 0-1 each), Teemore: (B Reilly 1-4, G Reilly, D Lee, M Burke, J McCaffrey 0-1 each).