SMALLER PARTIES: The loss of both the Women's Coalition seats summed up the plight of Northern Ireland's smaller political groupings in an election where the middle ground shrank dramatically.
The point was emphasised by the collapse of the Alliance vote, although at least that party managed to triumph in adversity, maximising the return of a performance that represented half its 1998 vote share.
With the shining exception of Dr Kieran Deeny in West Tyrone, this was not a good election for independent voices. His single-issue fight against the downgrading of Omagh hospital only highlighted the grip of the big four parties in Northern politics.
Even the plethora of anti-agreement unionists outside the mainstream groupings had to give way, their seats 'hoovered up' by the DUP. Of the pro-agreement "fringe loyalists," only Mr David Ervine remains, re-elected in East Belfast, with his colleague Mr Billy Hutchinson ousted in the north of the city.
A mid-campaign opinion poll suggested the Alliance Party had the support of six per cent of the electorate. But as usual, the moderate intentions of many voters evaporated on polling day, and the cross-community party saw its vote cut in two.
Deputy leader Mr Séamus Close survived the anti-agreement deluge in Lagan Valley, while newcomer Ms Naomi Long held David Alderdice's old seat in East Belfast. Everywhere else, Alliance candidates found themselves in grim fights, and mostly winning them.
Party leader Mr David Ford pipped Sinn Féin for the last seat in South Antrim, on the 11th count. Ms Eileen Bell also held on, in an extraordinarily fragmented North Down count. Mr Seán Neeson survived in East Antrim. So the party could at least console itself somewhat at its efficient management of a reduced vote.
In 1998, the Women's Coalition's Ms Jane Morrice took the last seat in North Down, but the loss of more than 600 first preferences this time was insurmountable. She blamed the very low turn-out, 54.5 per cent, while her colleague Ms Monica McWilliams fell just short of taking the last seat in South Belfast, edged out by the SDLP's Mr Alasdair McDonnell. Mr Bob McCartney's anti-agreement UKUP won five seats in 1998, but he effectively lost his party since then, with his MLA colleagues defecting to form the NIUP. The NIUP were wiped out this time, but despite a reduced vote, Mr McCartney survived.