After they overcame the challenge of Louth in their opening game, Paul McLoughlin’s are now on course for a knockout place having overcome a slow start to go on and dominate the second half.

Laois were 0-5 to 0-3 in front after 20 minutes with Colm Murphy and Evan O’Carroll their main marksmen, but with Paul Curtis and Jonathan Bealin keeping the homeside in touch, a Robert Franey 34th minute goal gave Wexford a 1-5 to 0-5 interval lead.

While Laois managed to stay in touch through the third quarter, at the end of which Wexford led 1-7 to 0-9, it was a delightful Niall Hughes goal 10 minutes from the end that helped Wexford into a 2-10 to 0-9 lead.

Laois replied with a 61st minute goal from sub Michael Keogh but it was Wexford, inspired by the midfield pairing of Barry O’Connor and Hughes, that fashioned out a five-point victory with points from John Tubritt and Barry O’Connor.

Wexford scorers:

R Frayne, N Hughes 1-0 each; J Bealin (2f), K O’Grady 0-3 each; B O’Connor, J Tubritt, P Curtis 0-2 each; B Brosnan 0-1.

Laois:

M Keogh 1-0; C Murphy (3f) 0-5; E O’Carroll (1f) 0-3; E Lowry (0-2 frees), F Crowley (0-1).

Wexford:

C Swaine; M Furlong, G Sheehan, C Carty; G Malone, S Doyle, M O’Connor; B O’Connor, N Hughes; C Devitt, J Bealin, R Frayne; P Curtis, K O’Grady, D Shannon.

Subs:

T Rossiterfor Carty (ht); J Tubritt for Frayne (50); B Brosnan for Shannon (55); E Nolan for Malone (67); D Pepper for Devitt (63).

Laois:

E Keogh; R C Fennell, D Booth, J Kelly; S Nerney, C Begley, F Crowley; K Meaney, R Bracken; D O’Reilly, E Lowry, M Scully; E Lowry, C Murphy, E O’Carroll.

Subs:

E Buggy for Kelly (ht); S Attride for E Lowry (ht); E Dunne for Meaney (43); M Barry for Bracken (48); R Piggott for Crowley (49); M Keogh for O’Reilly (50); R Hitchcock for Fennell (56).

Referee:

J Hickey (Carlow).