Derry City beat 10-man Shamrock Rovers 2-1 at the Brandywell to secure European football for next season.
Brandon Fleming scored his first goal for the club in the first half with substitute Sadou Diallo adding a second late in the game to secure the victory that extends their unbeaten run in the league to nine games.
It is Derry’s first win over Rovers since March 2023, and it gives Tiernan Lynch’s side a two-point cushion over third-place Shelbourne ahead of their final league game next weekend.
Rovers have now lost three straight league games, but can still seal a fifth Premier Divison title in six years with a point against Galway United on Wednesday.
In a first half of few clear-cut chances, Graham Burke went close for Rovers early on, forcing a strong save from Brian Maher.
Derry then opened the scoring on 24 minutes with Fleming’s intended cross catching out Ed McGinty as it looped over the Rovers stopper and nestled in the far corner.
The hosts started the second half well too and went close to doubling their lead with McGinty thwarting Diallo and Michael Duffy.
Rovers’ chances of getting back into the game were further dented by Lee Grace’s dismissal, with the defender receiving two yellow cards in quick succession early in the second half.
The Candystripes then extended their advantage on 87 minutes as Diallo lifted over McGinty after being played through by Duffy to wrap up the win.
Rovers netted a consolation in stoppage time with substitute Rory Gaffney smashing past Maher from close range, but it proved too little too late.
Stephen Bradley, who arrived late at the Brandywell by helicopter after completing the Dublin marathon earlier in the day, will have to rally his Rovers side to halt their losing run and finally wrap up the title at Tallaght against Galway in three days’ time.
If they fail to pick up the point they need to claim the title on Wednesday, they will have another chance in their final game against Sligo Rovers next weekend.
Derry, meanwhile, will finish their league campaign against Cork City at Turner’s Cross on Saturday, 1 November with a 16:30 GMT kick-off.