Down clinched a huge consolation victory over rivals Antrim after a last-gasp Donal Hughes goal snatched victory from the jaws of defeat but it wasn't enough to keep the Mourne County in Division 1B of the Allianz Hurling League.
Shea Pucci's starring first-half performance and early goals gave Down a real lift despite early tallies for Seaan Elliot and Paul Boyle who both found their scores from range for the Saffrons.
Antrim lived to rue their early missed chances with multiple costly wides inside the opening 10 minutes of play and when Pucci fired home an early goal from close range, the Páirc Esler side would roar with hope to end their campaign on a high note.
Down raced into a strong lead and Pucci proved to be a thorn in the side for Antrim early on when he struck a second major to really give his side a fighting chance in the tie.
Antrim drove themselves back into contention with a Ruairí Donaghy goal after the forward found the net with a terrific strike, A couple of Elliott frees meant Antrim were within three as the half drew to a close.
Both sides managed to exchange scores and Down shot-stopper Pearse Smyth got himself in on the act with a splendid pair of long-ranged efforts from the dead-ball, with his 65 putting his side five ahead in the final minutes of the half.
Tom McGrattan and Elliot both struck points for their respective sides with Elliot nabbing his fifth free of the half as Down led at the break.
Antrim got out of the blocks early after the restart as James McNaughton took his chance from a short free and Boyle struck from play to cut the deficit to three points.
Down replied with a Pearse Óg McCrickard free but a second goal for Donaghy saw the hosts' lead reduced to the minimum as momentum had shifted in favour of Davy Fitzgerald's side.
Barry Trainor and Tim Prenter both struck much-needed scores to help Down retain their five-point advantage.
But when Elliot single-handedly dragged Antrim back into the game with two scores and a terrific goal, Antrim looked well place - especially when Boyle levelled.
Elliot's free was matched by Michael Dorrian's point from play but the Saffrons managed to take the lead through James McNaughton.
However, there was one more moment of drama to come.
Donal Hughes cut in from a tight angle and fired to the net to spark wild celebrations in the stand with Down boss Ronán Sheehan bouncing into the air to greet it.
The derby spoils claimed by Down, but Antrim retain their Division 2 status.
Down: Pearse Smyth 0-04 (0-03f,s 0-01 65); Tom Murray, Ruairí McCrickard, Ben Teggart; Barry Trainor 0-01, Caolan Taggart, Niall McFarland; Donal Hughes 1-00, Liam Savage 0-01; Finn Turpin 0-01, Pearse Óg McCrickard 0-05 (0-04fs), Tim Prenter 0-03; Tom McGrattan 0-04, Shea Pucci 2-01, Daithí Sands 0-01.
Subs: Cathal Coleman (51') for Pearse Óg McCrickard (51), Ben Taggart off for Ronan Smyth (54) for Ben Taggart, Mark Dorrian (0-01) for Sands (65).
Antrim: Cormac McFadden; Stephen Rooney, Niall O'Connor, Paddy Burke 0-01; Ryan McNulty, Joe Maskey, Gerard Walsh; Eoin O'Neill 0-01, Paul Boyle 0-05; Keelan Molloy 0-01, Conor Johnston, James McNaughton 0-02 (0-01f); Seaan Elliot 1-08 (0-07fs), Conal Cunning 0-01, Ruairí Donaghy 2-0.
Subs: Scott Walsh for Gerard Walsh (51), Jack McCloskey (0-01) for Molloy (53), Eoin McFerran for Rooney (66),Conal Bohill for O'Neill (66).
Referee: Michael Kennedy (Tipperary).
