Fermanagh's new manager Charlie Mulgrew saw his side go down by the tightest of margins in the county's last match of this year's Dr McKenna Cup at Lisnaskea yesterday as the students led from start to finish.

Fermanagh begin their National League campaign against Mayo in two weeks time and they will be hoping that several players, who were missing yesterday, will have rejoined the squad by then.

Two of them, midfielder Martin McGrath and corner forward Ciarán O'Reilly, were on duty for Queen's who themselves are nearing their starting date in the Sigerson Cup.

Queen's dominated the first half and a goal in the 16th minute from Armagh's John Clarke helped them to a 1-5 to 0-5 half-time lead. Fermanagh improved considerably in the second half with James Sherry having an outstanding match in midfield.

They badly needed a goal and had to wait until a minute from time for its arrival when Mark Little smacked the ball home after a defensive error. Sadly for Mulgrew that was the final score of the match with Queen's dominating the concluding stages.

QUEEN'S: W McSorley; N Bogue, D McCartan, R O'Neill; C Rafferty, E Devine, S Kelly; K McGourty, M McGrath (0-1); C Dunne, J Clarke (1-2), A Carr (0-1); J Turley, BJ Padden (0-4), C O'Reilly (0-2). Subs: K Oakes for Carr, G Donaghy (0-1) for Turley, A Carville for Dunne, E Casey for O'Neill, D Padden for McSorley.

FERMANAGH: D Feely; R Johnston, B Carty, D O'Reilly; S Lyons, P Sherry, D Kelly; S McDermott, J Sherry; C Boyle, L McBarron, R Keenan (0-1); K Coyle (0-1), S Maguire (0-8), B McBrien. Subs: M Little (1-0) for Boyle, G Maguire for Coyle, M Reilly for McBrien.

Referee: M Henry (Cavan).