Waterford dig deep to overcome Antrim

It took a strong finish from Waterford to finally shrug off 14-man Antrim at Fraher Field on Sunday as Davy Fitzgerald's side remained unbeaten in Division One.

Austin Gleeson's introduction in the second half paid off as he landed five points down the stretch as the visitors appeared to just run out of steam in the closing stages having been a man short from the 23rd minutes when Eoghan Campbell was shown a straight red for an off-the-ball tangle with Reuben Halloran.

However, the Saffrons remained well in contention for long stages and were level with 10 to play before the hosts suddenly clicked and pulled clear.

Patrick Curran's goal from a penalty shortly after the break was also crucial with Antrim's Gerard Walsh seeing his own effort spectacularly saved by Shaun O'Brien who also saved a penalty in the corresponding fixture in Belfast last year.

Had this gone in, it would have left just two between the teams with the game moving towards added time, but the save seemed to finally shut the door on Antrim.

With the wind at their backs, Antrim opened quite brightly with Keelan Molloy landing early, but Patrick Curran levelled immediately.

The visitors were looking quite comfortable in possession as they began to find their range with Michael Bradley firing over and Conal Cunning with the first of half a dozen first-half scores.

Curran and Jamie Barron begged the visitors back, but three on the spin from Antrim was a fair reward for their play.

Playing into the wind, Waterford were forced to try and work the ball a little closer to goal for shots centre-back Callum Lyons popped up with two in the opening period,

That big moment came on 23 minutes when Campbell was dismissed, but the visitors would remain a step ahead going into