South Hobart retained their McDonald's NPL Tasmania title in style with a come-from-behind 3-1 win over Launceston City.
Needing a victory to confirm the championship defence, South went behind early when Dennis Mensah scored for the fourth time in five games since joining City.
However, goals from Kobe Kemp, Rex Maddock and Jacob Lancaster turned the tide and handed Peter Edwards’ men their prize with a game to spare.
Second-placed Kingborough kept the pressure on with a 2-0 defeat of relegation-bound Launceston United.
A goal in each half from reliable striker Noah Mies delivered a third straight win for Jon Fenech’s Lakoseljac Cup winners.
Devonport were also in no mood to give up the title race, winning 2-1 at Glenorchy.
Josh Tollervey and Brody Denehey put them in control before Adriano Chegancas replied for Knights.
Riverside’s finals aspirations took a dent with a 3-1 loss at South East United.
Sam Sartori, Luke Huigsloot and Thomas Hyland set up United’s fourth consecutive home win before James Pelletier claimed Olympic’s consolation.
Clarence took full advantage with a priceless 1-0 win over Ulverstone.
The diminutive Sam Tooze rose highest to nod in the only goal of the game on the half hour and keep Zebras on course for the finals.
In the McDonald's Women's Super League, Devonport's monumental 65-game unbeaten run finally came to an end as Glenorchy won 2-1.
Asuka Doi’s early effort was wiped out by Eve Hughes before Jemima Brown's looping shot from wide on the right registered her 16th and most important goal of the season.
Since losing 1-0 at South Hobart in round 20, 2023, Strikers won their final two fixtures, plus 21 of 22 matches in the next two seasons and all 19 games so far this year to establish a historic sequence stretching back nearly three years.
A bizarre dismissal sparked Launceston City into life as they won the battle of the bottom two 1-0 at Riverside.
American import Mia Judd was shown a red card on the hour after a high kick which injured her teammate Catherine Morgan.
However, City responded to the setback almost immediately when Sophie Wilson bundled in the only goal of the game.
Free-scoring imports starred as Kingborough came from behind to beat Launceston United 2-1.
United’s sharpshooter Olivia De Moraes bagged her 25th goal and sixth since returning from the US inside the first minute, but a brace from Hannah Walsh took Lions' English skipper to 18 for the campaign and five in the last three games.
Taroona and South Hobart shared the points with a 1-1 draw. Olivia Bekeleski continued her hot scoring streak for the Pirates with Matilda Heddle equalising soon after half-time.