Donegal stormed into a 0-05 to 0-00 lead with Ryan Bradley, Michael Murphy and Kevin Cassidy amongst the scorers.

Free-taker Tomas McCann and Terry O’Neill opened Antrim’s account and the gap was down to 0-08 to 0-06 by half-time.

Colm McFadden and Saffrons’ substitute Brian Neeson fired home second half goals, but the Tir Chonaill men were comfortably ahead by the final whistle.

These sides will meet again in the Ulster Championship next month and Donegal were able to gain a psychological advantage with this nine-point victory, which keeps them two points clear at the top of the table.

Donegal and Antrim have had contrasting fortunes in this year's league, with Liam Bradley's Saffrons succumbing to their fifth defeat of the campaign today.

If they are to avoid relegation to Division 3, Antrim need a win over Derry next Sunday and both Sligo and Meath to taste defeat in their final round games against Kildare and Tyrone respectively.

Understrength Antrim, who have struggled with injuries this year, had the wind at their backs and took their time to settle.

Ryan Bradley, Michael Murphy (free), Kevin Cassidy, Colm McFadden and Dermot Molloy (free) strung together five successive points for Donegal in the opening eight minutes.

The best of the scores was Bradley's first minute effort which saw him finished off a fine eight-man move. But free-taker Tomas McCann got Antrim off the mark and by the 24th minute, O'Neill had brough the visitors back level.

However, Donegal always looked capable of pulling clear and late points from McFadden, who was sought out time and again by the long ball, and Michael Hegarty edged them ahead for the break.

Hegarty, Molloy and Karl Lacey added to Donegal's tally, early in the second half, and McFadden looked to have killed Antrim off with a 53rd minute goal. He was played in by Anthony Thompson and produced a smart finish, beating goalkeeper Sean O'Neill with a low, driven shot.

Antrim showed their mettle when, barely a minute later, Tony Scullion ran through and set up substitute Brian Neeson for a terrific goal. That brought it back to 1-11 to 1-07 and suddenly Donegal looked a little unsteady.

It was only a brief lull though. Further points from McFadden and Rory Kavanagh got Donegal back on course, and lague win number four has them within touching distance of promotion and a place in the Division 2 final.

Scorers - Donegal: C McFadden 1-05, M Murphy 0-03, D Molloy, M Hegarty, K Cassidy 0-02 each, K Lacey, R Kavanagh, R Bradley 0-01 each

Antrim: T McCann 0-05, B Neeson 1-01, T O'Neill 0-02

DONEGAL: P Durcan; J Noctor, N McGee, K Lacey; A Thompson, F McGlynn, K Cassidy; R Kavanagh, M McElhinney; M Hegarty, M McHugh, D Molloy; R Bradley, M Murphy, C McFadden.

Subs used: N Gallagher for McElhinney (46 mins), D Walsh for Noctor (60).

ANTRIM: S O'Neill; C Brady, C Murray, R Johnston; A Douglas; T Scullion, A Healy; A Gallagher; S Burke; T O'Neill, M Sweeney, M McAleese; K Brady, B Heron, T McCann.

Subs used: B Neeson for McAleese (50 mins), D Edwards for Gallagher (64).

Referee: Marty Duffy (Sligo)