Stalemate in Casement

Antrim 0-15 Westmeath 0-15

Brendan Murtagh landed an injury-time point as Westmeath held an understrength Antrim side to a draw in their Allianz NHL Division 2 clash at Casement Park this afternoon.

A point from Michael Herron looked to have secured the two league points for the Saffrons, who were without a dozen players due to injury and this weekend's university competitions.

But Murtagh found space, in the third minute of injury-time, to ensure a stalemate.

Westmeath had led 0-10 to 0-8 at half-time, with Andrew Mitchell, Murtagh and Paddy Dowdall amongst the scorers.

Antrim made the early running with Michael and Brendan Herron, Colm Duffin and free-taker Karl Stewart taking points.

But Antrim goalkeeper Ryan McGarry and his defenders came under more and more pressure as the game wore on.

The home side nudged back in front, at 0-13 to 0-11 with Stewart scoring four of their five points.

Westmeath wrestled back control in the closing stages and deserved the draw in the end.

The result leaves Antrim in second place, one point behind leaders Offaly, and Westmeath remain second-from-bottom after picking up their first point of the league run.