Derry City kept their title hopes alive as they defeated Dundalk 2-0 at Oriel Park, a result which also confirms the home side will be relegated to Division One.
Starting debutant Colm Whelan scored after just 16 minutes before Will Patching doubled their lead from the penalty spot in the second half.
The result puts an end to the Candystripes’ run of five league games without a victory.
Elsewhere in the Premier Division leaders Shelbourne defeated Waterford with fellow title contenders Shamrock Rovers and St Patrick’s also winning.
Derry capitalise with first chance
It was the perfect start to the game for the visitors, who took an early lead after Danny Mullen beat his marker and nodded Michael Duffy’s corner towards goal, with his effort deflecting off the back of Whelan on its path into the back of the net.
Adam O’Reilly nearly extended Derry’s lead shortly after when he weaved his way round multiple Dundalk players before firing a strong strike narrowly off target.
The home side had a great chance to level the game with 10 minutes to go until the break when Jamie Gullan connected with Aodh Dervin’s looping pass and travelled forward, but he sent his effort wide of the right-hand post.
As the quiet first half came to a close Whelan couldn’t keep his strike on target after finding space in the penalty box.
Frantic start to the second half
City keeper Brian Maher was forced to make the first save after the restart to gather Jad Hakiki’s header after he had leapt highest to connect with Daryl Horgan’s cross from right wing.
A minute later O’Reilly’s effort from the back-post was deflected away by Hayden Cann with the ball eventually finding Sadou Diallo at the edge of the box. However, his first time effort was palmed away by Ross Munro.
Dundalk continued to look for a leveller, but struggled to test Maher.
Derry weathered the storm and as the second half progressed they started to have more chances of their own with Munro having to make a good save to stop Paul McMullan’s effort from point-blank range.
Ruaidhri Higgins’ men were awarded a penalty on the 76th minute when Robbie Benson brought down Michael Duffy in the box.
Patching took the resulting spot-kick against his former club and calmly slotted into the right hand corner to secure the crucial three points.