Brosnan strikes late as Wexford and Wicklow draw

Wexford veteran Bren Brosnan pointed a free eight minutes into added time to dent neighbours Wicklow's promotion prospects as Saturday’s Division 4 derby at Chadwicks Wexford Park ended in deadlock.

Eoin Darcy pounced for a second goal after 67 minutes to give Wicklow a first taste of the lead (2-12 to 0-17) as Oisin McConville’s charges sought a fourth straight victory.

But Wexford refused to become disheartened, and determinedly worked two of the last three scores – Mark Rossiter (mark) and Brosnan’s free – to salvage a share of the spoils.

Wicklow, with a closing round date with Waterford to come, are now left hoping that Leitrim do them a favour against Laois on Sunday in order to keep the Garden County in with a shout of immediately bouncing back to Division 3.

Wexford full-forward Robbie Brooks was proving a handful for the Wicklow defence throughout the first half, and after an opening exchange of points, Brooks restored the home side’s lead from a mark.

He then went close with a goal chance before Cian Hughes and Brooks pushed Wexford into a 0-04 to 0-02 lead inside eight minutes.

Wicklow balanced the books again by the 12th minute as Mark Kenny and midfielder Dean Healy bridged the gap.

Wexford suffered some frustration midway through the half as they shot three wides.

But Seán Nolan landed a second score before Robbie Brooks caught a Mark Rossiter delivery and again had the goal under serious threat, only for his angled drive to fly over after 22 minutes - 0-06 to 0-04.

Brooks remained menacing and was unfortunate for a third time in front of goal just after Mark Rossiter, from a free, had put Wexford 0-07 to 0-04 clear on 25 minutes.

Wicklow weren’t prepared to allow any daylight to develop as substitute Cian O’Sullivan