A fifteen-point haul from captain Ross King propelled Laois to a vital 0-27 to 2-16 victory over Antrim at O'Moore Park.

Points from Nigel Elliott, Neil McManus and Conor Johnston had the Glensmen within the minimum after 27 minutes, 0-9 to 0-8, but the hosts reeled off the last four points of the opening period through King and goalkeeper Enda Rowland - with a couple of frees apiece - to lead by five at the short whistle. The visitors had led by four points to one early on after McManus struck four in succession in response to Cha Dwyer's opener.

Paddy Purcell and King (2) made it double scores shortly after the restart but second-half Antrim goals from substitute Eoghan Campbell and Elliott in the 47^th and 67^th minutes respectively kept the home supporters in the attendance of 1,100 on their toes.

Elliott's major left three between the teams but Sean Downey and King lofted over the last two points of an entertaining contest as the midlanders sealed their first win of the campaign.

Laois - E Rowland (0-2f); D Hartnett, L Bergin, L Cleere; P Lawlor, M Whelan, E Killeen; P Purcell (0-1), J Ryan (0-2); B Conroy, C Dwyer (0-2), W Dunphy; R King (0-16, 14f), N Foyle (0-2), C Comerford (0-1). Subs: J Phelan for E Killeen, M Kavanagh (0-1sl) for C Comerford, S Downey for N Foyle, C Taylor for B Conroy, J Kelly for W Dunphy.

Antrim - C O'Connell; A Graffin, J Dillon, P Burke; R McCambridge, N McAuley (0-1), D Kearney; J Maskey, C McKinley; N Elliott (1-1), N McManus (0-11, 9f), D McKinley; J McNaughton, C McCann, C Johnston (0-1). Subs: D Campbell (1-1) for C McCann, C Carson for J McNaughton, S Rooney for D Kearney, G Walsh for J Maskey, M Connolly (0-1) for D McKinley.

Referee - J Murphy.

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