Fermanagh gave their first division survival hopes a major boost when they staged a spirited rally to pinch an invaluable win over visiting Clare at Brewster Park.

The match, which had a rather humdrum opening half, produced much better fare in the second period with both sides having spells of dominance.

Fermanagh had generally the better of matters in the opening half, moving three points in front with scores from Shane McDermott, Stephen Maguire and Rory Gallagher before Michael O'Shea opened Clare's account with a pointed free. The visitors were a shade unlucky not to have snatched a goal on a couple of occasions, denied by fine goalkeeping from Fermanagh keeper Ronan Gallagher.

The heavy underfoot conditions were making it difficult and it was a case of defences having the better of the exchanges. Best score of the half came close to half time when a fine diagonal pass from Fermanagh's centre forward Rory Gallagher found full forward Maguire and he in turn spun over an excellent score. Just on the break Fermanagh had another fortunate let-off when full back Paddy McGuinness spilled the ball and Peadar McMahon toe-poked a snap ground shot against the base of the post.

Fermanaagh made a brisk start to the second half, easing six points clear. However, the visitors were then to enjoy their most productive passage, beginning with a fisted goal from McMahon. This score unhinged Fermanagh as a confident Clare now poured forward. The Munster men had points from David Russell and Joe Considine and they were to go two points clear with less than 10 minutes left.

Clare however, were unable to sustain the momentum and in an exciting final rally Fermanagh hauled themselves back, inspired by strong displays from Maguire, Raymond Johnson in the halfback line; Shane King and Rory Gallagher in the forward line; the home side pushed their way through for the match-winning scores.

FERMANAGH: Ronan Gallagher; R McCloskey, P McGuinness, M Lilly; R Johnson, M McGrath, S Burns; P Brewster (0-2), L McBarron; C Donnelly (0-1), Rory Gallagher (0-6), S McDermott (0-1); S Quinn, S Maguire (0-4), S King. Subs: O Mulligan for L McBarron; M Little for S McDermott; B McBrien for S Quinn.

CLARE: J Hanrahan; E McGuane, P Gallagher, P Smyth; B Keating, N Hawes, M O'Connell; David Russell (0-1), B Considine; D O'Driscoll (0-1), J Considine (0-1), Denis Russell (0-2); G Keane (0-1), P McMahon (1-1), M O'Shea (0-1). Subs: C Moane (0-1) for G Keane; R Slattery for B Keating.

Referee: Enda Murtagh (Longford).