Second-half goals from Cathal Cregg and Enda Smith propelled Roscommon to a thrilling 2-11 to 0-13 victory over Kildare at Newbridge.

The result keeps the Rossies in the frame for an instant return to the top flight as they are one of four teams on five points, with Cavan on six, while Jack O’Connor’s men are looking over their shoulders at Division Three as they languish at the foot of the table on two points, level with Clare and Fermanagh.

The visitors tore out of the blocks with points from Niall Daly, Cian McKeon, Cathal Cregg and Donie Smith inside the opening five minutes but they then went almost half an hour without a score, Adam Tyrrell, Daniel Flynn and Paddy Brophy prominent as Kildare surged ahead, 0-7 to 0-4.

A Smith free closed the first-half scoring and the Rossies reclaimed the lead when Cregg palmed to the net in the 49th minute. With a point between them, Smith’s 65th-minute penalty conversion settled it after McKeon was taken down, Tyrrell and Flynn registering nine times between them for the losers.

Roscommon - C Lavin; D Murray, B Stack (0-1), M Richardson; N Daly (0-1), C Daly, C Hussey; E Nolan, E Smith (1-0); N Kilroy (0-1), C McKeon (0-2, 1f), H Darcy; D Smith (0-4, 2f), C Lennon, C Cregg (1-2). Subs: T O'Rourke for E Nolan, C Cox for C Lennon, C Compton for C Cregg, F Cregg for H Darcy, R Hughes for D Smith.

Kildare - M Donnellan (0-1f); P Kelly, M O'Grady, D Malone; K Flynn, E Doyle, S Ryan; D Hyland, K Feely; P Brophy (0-2), P Cribbin, K Cribbin; N Kelly (0-2), D Flynn (0-3), A Tyrrell (0-5, 3f, 1m). Subs: C Kavanagh for D Malone, D Slattery for K Cribbin, J Hyland for A Tyrrell, J Robinson for N Kelly, N Flynn for P Kelly.

Referee - M McNally.

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