Wicklow 1-6 Derry 1-7 Hugh Kenny's footballers provided yet another surprise as they upset Derry by two points in a tense game at Aughrim.

With both teams battling for a place in the divisional semi-finals, the exchanges threatened to boil over on a couple of occasions. The teams were reduced to 14 men each either side of half-time with Wicklow losing CiaráFoley in injury-time of the first half and then Derry's Francis McEldowney was sent off after the restart.

Shortly before the break referee Michael Walsh from Limerick banished Derry coach John Morrison from the sideline after he became involved the goings-on.

Wicklow had the assistance of a near gale-force wind in the opening half and looked to be in trouble when they led by just a single point, 0-3 to 0-2, at the break.

However, just 10 minutes before the break Kenny had brought on Tommy Gill and Donal McGillycuddy to boost their attack and their arrival seemed to inject more spirit into Wicklow's play. They were really in the driving seat when Gill banged home the game's only goal to stretch Wicklow's lead to four points in the 42nd minute.

Wicklow grew in confidence, their supporters got behind the team and the players hustled and scrapped for every ball.

Corner forward Alan Allis worked his heart out in a tremendous performance, Anthony wing back Nolan was also hugely impressive, and centre forward Trevor Doyle hammered over the points from frees.

Wicklow had gone 1-4 to 0-2 ahead before Derry opened their second half account with a point by Paddy Bradley 11 minutes in.

And when Bradley added another point on 50 minutes, Doyle and Gill knocked them back once more with answering scores.

In the closing stages Derry were pumping the ball into the Wicklow goalmouth, but could find no way through for the goal they needed. Substitute McGonigle tried to blast a free through a packed goal in the dying minutes, but Wicklow knocked the ball out for a fruitless 45.

Disappointed Derry manager Mickey Moran conceded afterwards Wicklow fully deserved their victory: "We did not perform, it was one of our worst performances in a long time and the players know it. I and the players have a lot of thinking to do before the championship."

He was also very critical of the referee's performance.

WICKLOW: R Hollingsworth; C Hyland, S Cohse (0-1), T Burke; A Foley, D Ó hAnnaidh, B Meringues; B Sheehan, B Ó hAnnaidh; C Foley, T Doyle (0-3, frees), C Clancy; A Nolan (0-1), G Doran, A Allis. Subs: T Gill (1-1, one free), for Clancy; D McGillycuddy for C Foley; C Davis for Doran; B Brady for Meringues; P Cronin for Nolan

DERRY: B Gilles; C McWilliams, A McCusker, K McCloy; R Lynch, K McGuckian, Francis McEldowney; F Doherty, E Muldoon (0-1); Fergal McEldowney (0-1), C Gilligan (0-1), C Moran (0-1); Patrick Bradley (0-3, two frees), E Burke, P O'Kane. Subs: G McGonigle for Fergal McEldowney; Patrick Bradley for E Burke; C O'Brien for McGuckian; P Wilson for McWilliams.

Referee: M Walsh (Limerick).