Evan Regan starred for Mayo as their second win of the Division 1 campaign has given them a real chance of avoid relegation.

Roscommon were second best by a distance at Dr Hyde Park, but Mayo’s poor return in front of goal meant they were always in with a chance.

A goal from Diarmuid Murtagh nine minutes from time kick started the comeback from the home side, but after his shock return from injury, Cillian O’Connor kicked the crucial injury-time point to end any hopes of a home comeback.

Mayo will be puzzled as to how they failed to have this game sealed earlier. They only led by 0-6 to 0-4 at half-time as ten wides and a couple of great saves from Geoffrey Claffey threatened to derail their hopes of victory.

But it was a red hot five minutes after the break from Regan that saw Mayo to victory. After Alan Freeman’s free, Regan did well to pick the ball on the run, and after a large number of steps, he fired brilliantly to the net.

In the 40th minute he kicked a great free from the right to help Mayo to a nine-point lead, but after Diarmuid Murtagh and Cathal Compton were introduced Roscommon looked a far better side.

Enda Smith laid on the goal for Diarmuid Murtagh with an accurate long pass in the 61st minute, and after he kicked a point and Conor Devaney followed suit the lead was down to three points.

But Cillian O’Connor kicked an injury-time free to restore that four point lead as Mayo held solid for the win.

Another win next week against Down should see Mayo safe, but Roscommon might yet need a point at home to Dublin to make the semi-finals.

Scorers – Mayo: E Regan 1-3 (2f), A Freeman 0-3 (3f), R Hennelly 0-2 (2’45), C O’Shea 0-1, P Durcan 0-1, C O’Connor 0-1 (1f).

Roscommon: D Murtagh 1-1, C Murtagh 0-3 (2f), C Devaney 0-2, F Cregg 0-1 (1f)

Mayo: R Hennelly; B Harrison, G Cafferkey, C Barrett; C Boyle, L Keegan, D Vaughan; T Parsons, S O’Shea; D O’Connor, A O’Shea, J Doherty; E Regan, A Freeman, C O’Shea.

Subs: P Durcan for Vaughan (h-t), S Coen for Cafferky (45), C O’Connor for C O’Shea (52), A Dillon for Freeman (57 BC), D Drake for D O’Connor (61), J Gibbons for Doherty (63).

Roscommon: G Claffey; S McDermott, N Collins, N McInerney; N McManus, S Purcell, D Murray; F Cregg, I Kilbride; C Daly, C Murtagh, C Devaney; N Kilroy, E Smith, C Cregg.

Subs: S Mollooley for McManus (57), D Murtagh for C Daly (59), R Daly for Devaney (63), J McDermott for Smith (66).

Referee: M Deegan (Laois)