As the final whistle echoed through a subdued Oval on Friday night, the contrasting emotions told the story of the Irish Premiership title race.
Larne supporters celebrated into the Belfast night, while Glentoran fans departed in near silence after a tense 0-0 draw that leaves the league leaders on the brink of a third championship in four seasons.
With just one match remaining, Larne now need only a single point at home to Dungannon Swifts next weekend to secure the Gibson Cup. The stalemate preserved their three-point advantage at the summit, a margin that had once been double digits but was whittled down during Glentoran's late-season surge.
"There's no job done and there are no days off," insisted Larne manager Gary Haveron, dismissing any premature celebrations. "Everybody's back to work and we go again."
"Given the stakes, the pressure and the expectation of the big crowd, I thought they handled it brilliantly," Haveron said of his players' composed performance under intense pressure.
The match, billed as a potential title decider, saw a sold-out Oval roar on the home side early. Glentoran, who could have leapfrogged Larne with a victory, created several first-half opportunities but failed to convert. Larne's defense held firm, recording their 20th clean sheet of the campaign.
As the contest wore on, it was Larne who came closest to a winner. Late efforts from Paul O'Neill and James Simpson were thwarted by last-ditch defending and a crucial save from Glentoran goalkeeper Andrew Mills.
For Glentoran, the result represents a painful setback in their quest for a first league title since 2009. Manager Declan Devine acknowledged Larne's commanding position while vowing his team would fight until the end.
"Larne are in the driving seat," Devine conceded. "But we will not lie down."
The draw also complicates Glentoran's pursuit of European football. They now face pressure from Coleraine for second place and the automatic European qualification spot. In a dramatic final-day twist, Glentoran must travel to face Coleraine, who themselves still harbor faint title hopes.
With the championship within touching distance, Larne's steady nerves at the Oval may prove the defining moment of their season. One final hurdle against Dungannon Swifts now stands between them and the Gibson Cup.