BRIAN Carroll was the star of the show as Offaly battled back from the brink of despair to steal a dramatic injury-time victory over Wexford in this gripping Allianz NHL contest played in desperate conditions at Birr.

Carroll contributed all but one point of Offaly's tally and it was his spectacular score in the 72nd minute that put daylight between the sides. Wexford led at half time by 0-8 to 0-3 and the situation looked even brighter for Seamus Murphy's side as they edged 0-10 to 0-4 clear within 10 minutes of the resumption.

Offaly, last year's Division 2 champions, didn't lie down though, and they showed tremendous character and guts as they clawed back into contention.

The win now leaves John McIntyre's side well placed to qualify for the knockout stages of the competition, and with five out of six points from three outings the Faithful County have practically achieved their goal of retaining their top flight status.

Wexford started with a strong wind at their backs and within 11 minutes they had two points on the board through Rory Jacob and Thomas Mahon.

Carroll, the home side's only first-half scorer, got Offaly off the mark with a successful 13th minute free after Wexford's full-back Darragh Ryan was yellow carded for a foul on Stephen Brown.

Over the next 15 minutes, and with Offaly spurning chances at an alarming rate . . . they ended the match with 10 wides to Wexford's six . . . the visitors took control. They hit four unanswered points courtesy of Eoin Quigley, Diarmuid Lyng, Jacob and PJ Nolan to open up a 0-6 to 0-1 advantage.

Wexford would have been further in front but for the bravery of Offaly goalkeeper Brian Mullins who dived instinctively to smother a close-range strike from Jacob. And in the tense dying moments, with the game in the melting pot, Mullins executed a top-drawer block down on Jacob who was seeking a point.

Carroll converted his second free and Wexford hit back with white flags from Nolan and Lyng. But Offaly ended the half with another Carroll point to leave them trailing by five at the break, 03 to 0-8.

With 17 minutes gone in the second half it remained advantage to Wexford and a Jacob free, after Rory Hanniffy was harshly deemed to have over carried, made it 011 to 0-5.

Carroll and Dylan Hayden followed up with a point apiece, and then in 56th minute his free from midway went all the way to the net off the fingertips of red faced Wexford corner-back Malachy Travers. Carroll, with radar-like accuracy, pointed again and for the first time Offaly had gained parity at 1-8 to 0-11.

Rory Jacob's 61st minute point saw Wexford regain the lead, but Offaly were men on a mission and Carroll stroked over a delightful equaliser off his right side. It was level at 70 minutes when Carroll missed a free, but he then popped over the winner from an acute angle.

OFFALY B Mullins; B O'Meara, P Cleary, D Franks; D Hoctor, R Hanniffy, K Brady; G Hanniffy, A Hanrahan; D Hayden (0-1), M O'Hara, J Bergin; B Carroll (1-9, 1-5 free, 0-1 65), S Brown, A Egan Subs D Murray for Bergin, 32 mins; J Brady for Egan, 43 mins; B Teehan for Hoctor, 50 mins; M Cordial for Brown, 65 mins

WEXFORD D Fitzhenry; D O'Connor, D Ryan, M Travers; C Kenny, K Rossiter, D Lyng (0-2, 0-1 free, 0-1 65); T Mahon (0-1), D Stamp (0-1); M Jacob, E Quigley (0-1), PJ Nolan (0-2); D Mythen (0-1), R Jacob (0-4, 0-3 frees), MJ Furlong Subs S O'Neill for Furlong, 61 mins; S Doyle for Nolan, 70 mins.

Referee E Morris (Dublin)