Division One Relegation semi-finals/ Wexford 2-31 Laois 3-14: Wexford escaped the threat of relegation, but it took extra-time for them to do it. A late tally of 1-13 saw off Laois in Nowlan Park on Saturday. Wexford upped their effort in the extra 20 minutes. A Des Mythen goal on 77 minutes sealed the win.

Laois men scored three goals in the first 12 minutes. Séamus Dwyer, James Hooban and Philip Russell all raise the green flag as Laois raced into a 3-2 to 0-6 lead.

Laois held the upper hand until half-time, and went in with a 3-5 to 0-11 lead. They stayed on top until the 49th minute, when a Stephen Doyle goal and Rory Jacob point got Wexford level.

Scores from Rory and Michael Jacob eased Wexford towards the finish line, but they were hauled back by Laois, who were reduced to 14 men when Michael McEvoy was red- carded. Two scores in the last minute from Philip Russell and James Young sent the game into extra-time.

Laois regained the lead through Hooban and Young, but once Wexford found their shooting boots there was no way back.

Meanwhile, in the other Division One relegation play-off yesterday, Antrim defeated Down by 1-17 to 0-15 at Casement Park.

WEXFORD: D Fitzhenry; M Travers, K Rossiter, D O'Connor; K Kavanagh, D Ruth (0-2), C Kenny; D Stamp, D Lyng (0-2); E Quigley (0-4), MJ Furlong, D Mythen (1-4); S Doyle (1-1), R Jacob (0-9), O Pitt. Subs: M Jacob (0-4) for Pitt (31 mins), B Lambert (0-2) for Furlong (51 mins), P Carley (0-3) for Doyle (69 mins), R McCarthy for Stamp (70 mins).

LAOIS: P Mullaney; B Campion, P Cuddy, M McEvoy; J Phelan, J Walsh, J Hyland; J Young (0-6), J Fitzpatrick (0-2); E Meagher, K O'Keeffe, S Dwyer (1-0); P Russell (1-4), P Cuddy, J Hooban (1-1). Subs: E Jackman for O'Keeffe (46 mins), D Cuddy (0-1) for Meagher (57 mins), T Doran for Mullaney (61 mins).

Referee: J McDonnell (Tipperary).