Kilkenny 2-14; Laois 2-10: A 77nd-minute goal from substitute Eddie Brennan eventually sealed a first league win of the campaign for Kilkenny at Nowlan Park yesterday.

The visitors blew a real chance of upending the unsure champions when they shot 11 wides while wind-assisted during the opening half.

They kept the champions at bay until the 66th minute, when Conor Phelan pointed the home team in front, and they were pipped on the line.

"This was a game we could have won," said the Laois manager, Paudie Butler.

"We had the chances. Still, this performance convinces me that we have the ability to stay in Division One."

Kilkenny manager Brian Cody said he was happy with the result. His team, back on track after losing two games, face another big test next weekend, away to Clare.

"Winning was all that mattered," insisted Cody. "Before this match we faced what were the equivalent of three knockout matches that we had to win. Going to Clare next weekend will be tough, but we are up for the challenge."

Against the wind, Kilkenny opened superbly. With a goal after 12 seconds from Henry Shefflin, they danced into a 1-3 to 0-0 lead after only 12 minutes.

Laois dug deep, however, and helped by four scores from the hugely impressive James Young they drew level at 1-3 to 0-6 after 28 minutes.

The same Young pointed them in front minutes later and drilled a 21-yard free to the net in the 36th minute to earn Laois an interval lead of 1-7 to 1-4.

The challengers rocked the home side in the 37th minute when Damian Culleton booted home a goal from close range. That was after Henry Shefflin had opened the second-half scoring with a point.

Ragged Kilkenny chased strongly but had to wait until the 58th minute before levelling via a point from Tommy Walsh (2-9 to 1-12).

Laois hit back again and substitute Pat McMahon pointed them in front. Shefflin cancelled that effort before Conor Phelan's point put Kilkenny ahead in the 66th minute and Brennan's late goal settled it.

"We cannot relax now," said Cody. "We have to do it all over again next weekend in Clare, or otherwise we will be out of contention for the league."

KILKENNY: J McGarry; M Phelan, N Hickey, M Kavanagh; J Tyrrell, P Barry, J J Delaney; D Lyng, P Mullally; J Hoyne, H Shefflin (1-6, 0-5 frees, 0-1 a 65), T Walsh (0-1); C Phelan (0-4), M Comerford (0-2), A Fogarty (0-1 free). Subs: E Brennan (1-0) for Mullally (44 mins), J Fitzpatrick for Fogarty (55 mins);

LAOIS: K Galvin; L Mahon, Patrick Cuddy, C Cuddy; J Fitzpatrick, Paul Cuddy, M McEvoy; J Young (1-5, 1-1 frees), J Walsh; C Coonan, D Cuddy (0-2, 1 free), S Dwyer; T Fitzgerald, L Tynan (0-2), D Culleton (1-0). Subs: J Dunne for Dwyer (53 mins); P Mahon (0-1) for Walsh (59 mins); E Jackman for Dunne (58 mins).

Referee: D Kirwan (Cork).