Wexford 2-8 Down 0-9: WEXFORD CLICKED in the second half on their way to an impressive five-point victory over Down in this top-of-the-table clash at Wexford Park yesterday.

Down led by 0-2 to 0-0 after 10 minutes through points from Declan Rooney and John Clarke, with Wexford having to wait until the 13th minute for their opening score from Eric Bradley.

Down regained the initiative to lead 0-7 to 0-4 at half-time.

When John Clarke increased that lead within 30 seconds of the restart it looked as if Down were set to maintain their dominance.

Suddenly Wexford sprang to life and in a gripping four-minute spell manufactured two goals which changed the course of the game.

After 37 minutes, Forde sent in a centre that was flicked to the net by Adrian Flynn, while four minutes later Forde slipped his marker, Martin Cole, took the ball forward, dummied advancing goalkeeper Brendan McVeigh before slotting the ball into an empty net.

Wexford went on to build a 2-7 to 0-8 lead, before Down had their second score of the second period after 57 minutes, a Danny Hughes point, which turned out to be the last score of the game.

WEXFORD: A Masterson; C Morris (0-1), P Wallace, D Walsh; N O'Sullivan, B Malone, P Curtis; E Bradley (0-1), B Doyle; B Brosnan, R Barry, A Flynn (1-1); C Byrne, S Roche (0-3), M Forde (1-2, 0-1 free). Subs: P Colfer for Curtis (26 mins), C Lyng for Brosnan (26 mins), D Murphy for Byrne (35 mins); A Morrissey for Bradley (67 mins); J Hudson for O'Sullivan (69 mins).

DOWN: B McVeigh; C McGovern, G McArdle, M Cole; R Murtagh, L Doyle (0-2, 0-1 free), D Rooney (0-1); A Rogers, J Lynch (0-1); J Fegan (0-1), K McKernan, D Hughes (0-1); J Clarke (0-2), C Magee (0-1), R Sexton. Subs: L Howard for Lynch (45 mins); B Coulter for Clarke (50 mins); P McCumiskey for Fegan (50 mins); C Murney for Magee (69 mins), P Downey for McArdle (69 mins).

Referee: P Russell (Tipperary).