Galway United stretched a remarkable 10 points clear of Waterford in their quest for promotion to the Premier Division with a massive victory on a balmy night by the Corrib.
Two of their key players in what has been an amazing season so far – Ed McCarthy and David Hurley – put United 2-0 up, and deservedly so, in front of another bumper Eamonn Deacy Park crowd.
A nervy finale was ensured by Ronan Coughlan's cool finish but United held out and look long odds-on to win their first major trophy since a League Cup triumph in 1997.
Stephen Walsh has been outstanding since chucked up front in the corresponding fixture early last season and he was a proper nuisance for the visitors in the opening 10 minutes.
The Blues struggled to get out of their half, though chances were few. Galway had all the early play and Killian Brouder controlled well and drove at goal on his weaker foot on 17 minutes but it was straight at Paul Martin.
Then Francely Lomboto showed his striking pace on the left-hand side but his clever delivery into the box came to nothing.
McCarthy exhibited his own blistering speed midway through the half but Walsh couldn't capitalise after he was put in down the left. McCarthy broke the stalemate on 33 minutes in a goal typical of how Galway play.
David Hurley's lovely ball into them box after a one-two with Regan Donelon caused confusion and McCarthy, who has been consistently outstanding this season, connected at the back post to beat Martin. Lomboto then worked Martin, the Blues reeling, Terryland rocking.
FIRST DIVISION TABLE
The visitors finally created something five minutes shy of the break but off-season signing Brendan Clarke made a superb double-save.
Initially a Waterford free-kick caused problems before Connor Parsons followed up on the rebound, only for Clarke to block again.
United's hunger was illustrated with their having amassed four yellow cards shy of the hour mark but they looked under little pressure.
And Hurley made it 2-0 on 68 minutes from the spot, Shane Griffin having needlessly brought down Donelon at the edge of the box after another set-piece caused Keith Long's men problems.
The Blues' best move of the match by some way resulted in a goal back 10 minutes from time and they deserved it after a spell of pressure.
Coughlan, who has been in sensational form, easily found space in the box from Griffin's cross and gave Clarke no chance.
United defended stoically, never really threatened, and celebrated the final whistle in the manner of a team that is simply very accustomed now to winning.
Galway United: Clarke; Horgan (O'Keeffe 46), Slevin, Brouder, Donnelon (Nugent 85); McCormack, Borden; Lomboto (Rowe 71), Hurley, McCarthy (O'Reilly 90); Walsh.
Waterford: Martin; Sobowale (Idowu 59), Phillips, Nolan (McMenamy 78), Burke; Griffin, O'Keeffe, Larkin (Aouachria 62), Parsons; Baggley; Coughlan.
Elsewhere in the First Division, Treaty United struck twice in the last 15 minutes to come from behind at home to Athlone Town at Markets Field.
The midlanders' top scorer Frantz Pierrot put Athlone in front just before the half hour mark and held the advantage until the closing stages when Lee Molloy equalised with 12 minutes remaining.
Less then five minutes later, the Galway-born full-back Mark Ludden fired home the winner as the home side recoreded their third successive win.
Longford Town made it back-to-back victories in Tralee but had to withstand a spirited comeback from the Kerry FC at Mounthawk Park.
Stephen Henderson's side ended Galway's perfect record with a shock home win on Bank Holiday Monday and led 2-0 at the break tonight, Stephen Meaney and Shane Elworthy finding the net against the league's bottom placed side.
However, Kerry, who have registed just two points from 13 games, rallied after the break, Sean McGrath pulling one back for the hosts. An own goal from Matt Keane restored the midlanders' two goal advantage but things became nervy again as Ryan Kelliher struck for Kerry.
However, the away side clung on to record their third win of the season and their second in as many games.
Cobh Ramblers jumped to third in the table after an emphatic 4-1 win at home to struggling Finn Harps at St Colman's Park.
Liam Kervick bagged a brace for the south coast outfit, James O'Leary and Charlie Lyons also getting on the scoresheet, Noe Baba replying for the away team.
It was Cobh's second successive 4-1 win, having made light work of neighbours Kerry FC last time out, while Harps slipped to ninth spot.
In the evening's other game, Wexford FC and Bray Wanderers played out a 1-1 draw in a mid-table tie at Ferrycarrig Park.
Matthew Dunne put the hosts ahead shortly after the hour mark, the experienced Dane Massey levelling it with 15 remaining.
