Down picked up a crucial win in Allianz NHL Division 2 this afternoon, pipping their Ulster rivals Antrim by a single point at Casement Park.

In a hard-fought first half, the Mourne men battled to a 1-12 to 2-8 half-time lead with James Coyle finding the Antrim net.

The Saffrons had seized control early on and Neil McManus broke through for their two goals.

But Kevin McGarry claimed the only goal of the second half as Down kept ahead and claimed a victory that moves them out of the bottom two in the table.