Division One B/Wexford 3-10 Limerick 0-17: Nigel Higgins delivered a two-goal salvo to send Wexford through to the second-round stage at Wexford Park yesterday.Higgins struck for a goal in each half, the second a fortuitous effort that deceived goalkeeper Ger O'Connell. The Rathnure man gave Michael Cahill a nightmare afternoon.

Wexford manager Seamus Murphy described the week as a real turnaround for his charges. "Last week we defeated Tipperary, but putting back-to-back victories was really important. I must say we were rather fortunate to take both points from Limerick who played the better hurling. We found it hard to get any control on the game but given our injury crisis it was a battling display from the boys."

Wexford's spirit was all there yesterday as they turned a four-point interval deficit into a two-point victory.

Limerick were coming in off a huge win over Down and picked off some splendid points during the opening 35 minutes. After two Higgins points put Wexford in front within two minutes of the start Limerick's response was positive with a Paul O'Grady pointed 65 and a huge Ollie Moran point.

Limerick were beginning to look impressive as Niall Moran and an Alan O'Connor free had them two in front by the 10th minute. Three minutes later Higgins struck for his first goal when he powered through the centre to send a shot past Ger O'Connell.

Limerick's half-back line took charge for the remainder of the half, along with midfielders Paul O'Grady and Donal O'Grady. With three Alan O'Connor points and points from Niall Moran, Paul O'Grady, James O'Brien and Donal O'Grady, they went in leading 0-12 to 1-5 at the interval.

Wexford increased the tempo and Willie Doran cracked a shot to the net, giving his side a 2-8 to 0-13 lead after 46 minutes.

One minute later Wexford were somewhat fortunate. Higgins sent a lob across goal that deceived O'Connell to finish in the net. Two goals in the space of a minute had transformed the game with Wexford meriting their four-point lead, 3-8 to 0-13.

A tremendous Damien Fitzhenry saved denied Niall Moran, while two Alan O'Connor frees kept the visitors in touch. Wexford responded through Michael Jacob and Paul Carley points but it was not to be one-way traffic in the closing 10 minutes. Points from Alan O'Connor and Moran left just two points separating the sides in the closing two minutes. Substitute Mark Keane was pulled down on his way to goal, but Alan O'Connor saw his attempt for goal saved.

WEXFORD: D Fitzhenry; M Travers, D Ruth, K Rossiter; R McCarthy, D Stamp, D Lyng; D O'Brien, M Jacob (0-2); P Carley (0-4, three frees), W Doran (1-0), E Quigley; N Higgins (2-2), D Mythen (0-1), M Jordan (0-1). Subs: B Lambert for O'Brien (39 mins), K Kavanagh for McCarthy (62 mins), R Jacob for Lambert (Yellow Card, 67 mins).

LIMERICK: G O'Connell; M Foley, D Reale, M Cahill; P O'Dwyer, O Moran (0-1), B Geary; P O'Grady (0-3), D O'Grady (0-1); A O'Connor (0-8, seven frees, one 65), J O'Brien (0-1), N Moran (0-3); A O'Shaughnessy, S O'Connor, P Tobin. Subs: D. Sheehan for Tobin (half-time), D Ryan for O'Shaughnessy (44 mins), M Keane for O'Connor (60 mins); JP Sheehan for Keane (Yellow Card, 70 mins).

YELLOW CARDS: Wexford: B Lambard (67 mins); Limerick: M Keane (70 mins).

Referee: B Gavin (Offaly).