The big full-forward won an aerial duel with Gavin Sheehan and rattled the net as the visitors produced a strong response to early points for the hosts from Darragh Lyons and Páraic Hughes.
That goal was the key score of an opening half that ended with Antrim leading by 1-8 to 0-7, but they squandered another clearcut chance when Conor Hand fired wide from close range in the 38th minute.
Wexford applied strong pressure in the third quarter and reduced the deficit to the minimum (1-10 to 0-12), with lively substitute Jack Higgins making a big impression at right half-forward.
However, Antrim produced an impressive response as points from Patrick McAleer, goalkeeper Michael Byrne (’45) and Ryan McQuillan (free) left them four clear with 15 minutes left.
Wexford had that lead reduced to 1-14 to 0-15 when their rivals wasted a big opportunity to wrap things up in the 65th minute, with the otherwise excellent Marc Jordan seeing his close-range shot saved by debutant goalkeeper Will Foley.
Ryan McQuillan kicked a peach of a point for Antrim at the end of the first of four additional minutes, but they were left hanging on at the finish as Ben Brosnan converted a free before Mark Rossiter blazed another one over the bar with the last kick of the game.
Antrim – who beat Wexford by seven points at the same venue in last year’s Tailteann Cup – will now clash with Sligo to determine outright winners of this group, while Wexford will face the Premier County in a battle to decide which of the pair finishes in third spot.
Scorers – Antrim: R McQuillan 0-6 (3f), R McCann (Aghagallon) 1-0, P McAleer 0-3, M Byrne (45), D Lynch, N Burns, J Finnegan, D McAleese and C Hynds 0-1 each. Wexford: S Nolan 0-6 (4f), D Lyons, P Hughes, M Rossiter (1f) and K O’Grady 0-2 each, N Hughes, J Higgins and B Brosnan (f) 0-1 each.
Antrim: M Byrne; K Keenan, D Lynch, E Walsh; N Burns, J Finnegan, D McAleese; P McAleer, C Hynds; C Hand, P McBride, R McCann (Creggan); R McQuillan, R McCann (Aghagallon), M Jordan. Subs: D McEnhill for McCann (Creggan, 51), J McDonnell for Keenan (67), C McLarnon for McCann (Aghagallon, 70+4).
Wexford: W Foley; D Furlong, G Sheehan, L O’Connor; G Malone, E Porter, D Lyons; L Coleman, N Hughes; M Rossiter, P Hughes, C Carty; K O’Grady, S Nolan, E Nolan. Subs: J Higgins for Carty (HT), C Kinsella for E Nolan (45), G Staples for Lyons (60), B Brosnan for O’Grady (68), J Bealin for S Nolan (69).
Referee: D Murnane (Cork).
