Antrim 1-12 Sligo 0-14:BOTH ANTRIM and Sligo know there is work to be done in their bids to gain promotion for a second season running after they fought out an uninspiring opener at Casement Park yesterday.

Sligo opened with a flurry of three points in six minutes but Antrim were level by the 12th minute. It was level again in the 18th and 25th minutes before Antrim hit their best spell of the game, snatching 1-3 without reply.

The goal was slammed home from the penalty spot by Paddy Cunningham on the half-hour. Sligo hit back with points by Johnny Davey and Adrian Marren (free) to leave Antrim leading by 1-8 to 0-7 at the break.

On the restart Sligo rifled over three points in four minutes to narrow the gap to 1-8 to 0-10.

Only two points, both by Antrim, were scored over the next 18 minutes but Sligo scored three times without reply to level at 1-10 to 0-13 with nine minutes left.

Cunningham sent the winners 1-12 to 0-13 ahead with a point from a free and an excellent strike from the left wing.

In added time, Adrian Marren had a Sligo point but it was not enough for the visitors.

ANTRIM: S McGreevy; D McCann, P Doherty, K O'Boyle; T Scullion, J Crozier, D O'Hagan (0-1); M McCann (0-3, one free), B Herron; C Close (0-1), T McCann, J Loughery; P Cunningham (1-5, 1-0 pen, 0-2 frees), M Magill (0-1), N O'Connell. Subs: A Douglas for Doherty (40 mins), C Murray for O'Connell (41 mins), G O'Boyle (0-1)for Magill (51 mins), K Brady for Close (63 mins).

SLIGO: P Greene; C Harrison, N McGuire, R Donavan; N Ewing, M Quinn (0-1), J Davey (0-1); E Mullen, T Taylor; A Costello (0-1), M Breheny (0-3, three frees), A Marren (0-7, four frees); S Coen, K Sweeney, D Kelly. Subs: S Davey for Mullen (63 mins).

Referee: J McKee(Armagh).