Kildare are in relegation danger following this 0-15 to 0-12 defeat to Leinster rivals Westmeath at Newbridge.

Jason Ryan's charges currently prop up the Division Three table with no points from three outings, while the Lake County's second victory of the campaign leaves them very much in the frame for promotion to the top flight.

Tom Cribbin's side led by 0-8 to 0-5 at the break, with Lorcan Smyth, John Heslin (two frees) and Ger Egan replying to Fergal Conway's opener. When Eoghan O'Flaherty notched the hosts' second point, Heslin replied with the third of his six converted free.

The midlanders kicked on to lead by five after 23 minutes thanks to Paul Sharry and Kieran Martin, but Padraig O'Neill and O'Flaherty reduced the arrears before Heslin (free) and Darroch Mulhall traded the last two points of the first half.

Returning veteran goalkeeper Gary Connaughton preserved the three-point cushion with a save from O'Neill and Denis Glennon pointed twice either side of Kildare points from O'Flaherty and Paul Cribbin.

Connaughton executed a fine double save and the Lilywhites closed within the minimum thanks to scores from O'Flaherty and substitute Padraig Fogarty. Points were swapped twice but the hosts could never draw level and the winners were given breathing space by points from Shane Dempsey, Heslin and Smyth as they held on for a brilliant victory.

Westmeath - G Connaughton; M McCallon, K Maguire, K Daly; P Holloway, K Martin (0-1), J Gonoud; P Sharry (0-1), J Heslin (0-6f); R Connellan, G Egan (0-1), C McCormack; L Smyth (0-2), D Glennon (0-3), D Daly. Subs: D Lynch for P Holloway, S Dempsey (0-1) for C McCormack, D McCormack for R Connellan, J Egan for K Daly.

Kildare - M Donnellan; O Lyons, C Fitzpatrick, M O'Grady; K Cribbin, F Conway (0-1), E Doyle; H Lynch, P O'Neill (0-1); E Callaghan, E O'Flaherty (0-5, 3f), P Cribbin (0-1); D Mulhall (0-1), F Dowling (0-1), T O'Connor. Subs: P Fogarty (0-1) for D Muhall, A Smith for T O'Connor, G White for H Lynch, E Bolton for E Doyle, D Flynn (0-1) for P O'Neill.

Referee - P O'Sullivan.

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