Finn Harps push for the First Division title suffered a set-back as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Athlone Town in their final home league game.
Harps, who have one game left, remain top and are two points ahead of Cobh Ramblers, but the St Colman's Park outfit have two matches remaining and the destination of the league title is in their own hands.
Harps' final game is away to Kilkenny while Cobh must play Monaghan (on Sunday) and then Athlone.
The home side began nervously and it was Athlone who created the better chances in a disappointing first half.
Luke Hardy fired wide while Colin Fortune and Ryan Casey had other chances before the visitors took the lead to silence the big home crowd.
Fortune collected the ball from a throw-in and there appeared little real danger when he shot towards goal from outside the box on the half-hour.
However, Harps goalkeeper James Gallagher - who has kept 21 clean sheets in the league this season - completely misjudged the flight of the ball and as he failed to hold the ball he could only look in despair at it limped over the line.
Harps stepped up a gear in the second half with Shaun Holmes having a 52nd minute shot tipped over by the increasingly busy Ciaran Kelly.
Paddy McLaughlin, Marc Brolly, Shaun McGowan (twice), and Chris Breen all had chances for Harps before they finally equalised with John O'Loughlin being credited with the goal as he shot through a crowded box.
The Donegal club piled on the pressure in an exciting finish but a combination of stern defending and good goalkeeping from Ciaran Kelly kept Harps at bay.
The destination of the First Division title will now go down to the final game with Cobh in the position that if they win their two matches they will be assured of the silverware and automatic promotion.
Finn Harps: Gallagher, McLaughlin, Minnock, Boyle, Holmes, Shields, O'Loughlin, McGowan, Parkhouse, Gethins, Brolly. Subs: Breen for McLaughlin (61 mins).
Athlone Town: Kelly, Rossiter, Hamm, Frawley, McCarthy, Fortune, Hardy, Byrne, Lavine, McGee, Casey. Subs: Russo for Byrne (63 mins), O'Dowd for McGee (70 mins), Jinks for Casey (90 mins).
Referee: D Tomney
