Westmeath kept their promotion hopes alive with a comprehensive National Hurling League Division Two B win over Kildare last evening. Despite taking an early lead, they were slow to establish control and by the 10th minute the home side had built up a 0-4 to 0-3 lead.

Corner forward Sean McLaughlin gave them the lead with a goal, and Kildare had an uphill task after John Gavigan found the net in the 20th minute.

Kildare struggled to make an impression for the remainder of the half and Westmeath led by 2-6 to 0-4 at the break.

The winners continued to pile on the pressure after the restart and had added 1-1 within four minutes. Four minutes later Gavigan managed his second goal and there was no way back for Kildare.

Westmeath: M Briody; A Weir, PJ Dalton, B Wiggins; N Gavin, C Murtagh, D McCormack (0- 1); A Devine (0-1), P Williams (0-1); F Farrell (0- 1), J Gavigan (2-1), A Mitchell (0-4); S McLaughlin (1-1), P Connaughton (1-0), B Kennedy (0-2). Subs: R Galvin (0-1) for Farrell, O Devine (1-0) for Connaughton.

Kildare: D Byrne; N Carew, P Brennan, N Swan; M Byrne, B Mahon, M Hennessy; J Brennan (0-2), A Flaherty; A Dunne, N Casey (0-1), T Carew (0-2); T Spain (0-2), K Kelly, A Murphy. Subs: C Byrne (0-1) for Murphy.

Referee: M Barnes (Wicklow).