James McNaughton to the fore as Antrim overcome Westmeath

James McNaughton led the way with 1-14 as Antrim banked their first points of the Allianz League as they accounted for Westmeath in Division 1B at Corrigan Park.

The Loughgiel man was in fine form having carried much of the fight against Dublin in their opening defeat, but he had a fine supporting cast this time as Davy Fitzgerald's side was much improved and certainly more fluid than eight days ago in Croke Park.

In contrast, Westmeath perhaps looked like a team that were in their first game of the season as their planned opener against Laois last week was postponed, but they put up a spirited challenge with David WIlliams chipping in with a dozen scores, yet they never really looked like likely winners in Belfast.

Antrim were much quicker out of the traps with James McNaughton landing the first three scores - the first from play - to settle his side.

McNaughton would equal his 10-point haul against Dublin by the time this game had reached the break as he led the charge for Antrim early, but gradually Westmeath built into it with David Williams getting his team off the mark and Eoin Keys grabbing their first from play.

The hosts looked more dangerous up top and on 13 minutes, they were awarded a penalty as Conor Johnston chased down a lost cause and was fouled on his way to goal, but Westmeath goalkeeper Jack Gillen was equal to McNaughton's penalty.

Johnston would grab a point soon after as McNaughton and Williams began to have their own scoring duel, although a good burst from the hosts saw Eoghan Campbell, Seaan Elliott, Niall McKenna and Niall O'Connor also chipped in to help Antrim into a six-point lead.

But Westmeath remained in touch as Darragh Clinton and Mark Cunningham pointed, yet it was Mcnaughton with late frees