South Antrim took advantage of Cookstown being out of action as they beat North Down 4-1 on Saturday afternoon.
The win moves the Lisburn side level on points with the league leaders, but having played a game more and having a significantly lower goal difference.
The hosts got off to a blistering start with Jordan Robinson getting an early opening goal for his side as he got his first league goal of the season.
Max Turner and Ryan West both struck from penalty corners to quickly extend the South Antrim lead to 3-0 before Tim Curragh put the result beyond doubt as he added a fourth goal.
A Frazer McCain drag flick got a goal back for the visitors at the beginning of the final quarter to make it 4-1, leading to a period of pressure from his side.
However, with too much to do there was no route back into the game for his side as South Antrim sealed a comfortable home win.
A seventh defeat in eight games for North Down sees them remain at the foot of the table with just three points this season meanwhile South Antrim continue their fight for the title.
Elsewhere, Instonians came out on top of an 11 goal-thriller at Shaw’s Bridge as they beat Queen’s University 8-3.
The students had taken an early lead through a Matthew Spence strike as he netted his first goal of the season.
However, two strikes each from Matthew McAreavey, Gavin Lecky, Ben Palmer and Stephen Kelso saw the hosts put in a scintillating attacking performance against the 2022/23 champions.
Ben Law and Harry Scott both also managed to get on the scoresheet for the visitors but it wasn’t enough to match the Instonians onslaught.
Following the win, Instonians stay third in the table, three points clear of fourth-placed Queen’s University and having played two games less than the students.
The final game of the day saw Bangor win for a third week running as they beat in-form Kilkeel 2-1 away from home.
Two open play strikes from Ryan Lyall gave his side all three points despite a goal from Neil Stevenson for their hosts.
The defeat ends a run of back-to-back wins for Kilkeel as Bangor now move level on points with them,
Both on nine points, the sides occupy seventh and eighth in the table, four points ahead of P.S.N.I in the relegation playoff spot.
PHOTO: Front Row Union
