With two minutes left, Neil McManus swung over the point which decided this closely-fought encounter at Casement Park.

Carlow had been on course for their third successive victory, with Paudie Kehoe's 30th-minute goal helping them take a 1-04 to 0-04 interval lead.

Antrim suffered a defensive blunder when they failed to clear Kehoe's long range free which found its way into the hosts' net.

There was a degree of niggle in this game and referee Brian Gavin and his match officials had to step in to cool matters as a scuffle broke out at half-time.

But fired-up Antrim quickly got into a scoring groove in the second half with Michael Herron, Karl Stewart and Simon McCrory finding their range.

Carlow's lead was wiped out before McManus' fifth point of the afternoon steered the Saffrons home.

The result sees Dinny Cahill's side join Carlow on four points in the table, with Laois, Clare and unbeaten leaders Limerick ahead of them.