Kildare's home game with Westmeath was the only Sunday tie in Allianz league Division two, with a half-time rollicking by home manager Kieran McGeeney proving just about enough to get his side over the line against the struggling neighbours.
Deploying Martin Flanagan at full-forward, Westmeath shot from the blocks when Damien Hendy upended the former midfielder allowing Paul Bannon slot the penalty.
Kevin O'Neill managed a reply for a very listless Kildare before Flanagan himself bagged another goal, underlining the difficulties posed to any team by a towering presence on the edge of the square.
By half time, Kildare had mustered just 0-4 in chase of what was by then a 2-3 target set by the visitors, but they emerged a different team after the break.
A goal from Eamon Callaghan with a clinical finish and a Ronan Sweeney point, as against a solitary reply by Flanagan, left it 1-5 to 2-4 eight minutes into the second period but strangely, the comeback wilted at this point and Westmeath looked as if they might survive by tacking on the occasional score.
However, star forward Johnny Doyle would prove the difference between the sides when his 0-5 without reply reeled in and surpassed the deficit.
The Lilywhites were level with three minutes to go and hit the front for the first time with just two minutes of normal time remaining, to complete a comeback and break Westmeath hearts, although question marks must now hover over McGeeney's project in Kildare after a number of stuttering displays.