A Wexford team were once again caught by a late Offaly fightback in the Leinster under-21 hurling championship game at Nowlan Park, Kilkenny, last night.

Wexford had led from the first minute when Nigel Higgins opened the scoring and they were not headed until three minutes from the end when Offaly's Paul Molloy, who had been switched from defence to attack, snatched a sensational winning goal.

Wexford, backed by the wind, led at half-time by 0-6 to 0-3 despite having shot eight wides in that half.

On the resumption Offaly played with greater determination. However, they still seemed to be on the way out of the championship until a move initiated by Stephen Brown and carried on by Brendan Murphy and Conor Gath paved the way for Molloy's match-winning goal.

Offaly: S O'Connor; D Moran, M O'Hara, W Comerford; S Brown, J P O'Meara, P Molloy (1-0); D Tanner, D Franks; C Gath (0-4), B Murphy, D Murray (0-4); D Carney, A Hanrahan, R McRedmond. Subs: S Ormonde for McRedmond, J O'Connor for Carney, A Guinan for Ormond.

Wexford: P Carley; R Kirwan, D O'Connor, S Fenlon; D Stamp, K Furlong, R Mahon; M Redmond, D Roche; N Higgins (0-4), G Coleman, M Travers; B Lambert, M Jacob (0-5), R Lambert. Subs: T Kelly for R Lambert, R Quigley for Coleman.

Referee: P Dunphy (Kilkenny).