Bohemians victory over Derry City at the Brandywell on Saturday night should see Roddy Collins' side preserve their Premier Division status next season.
Disappointing Derry, on the other had, will now kiss goodbye to their InterToto Cup hopes after an out of sorts performance which saw Bohemians taking full advantage.
And while delighted at taking maximum points for the second time this season at this venue, Collins actually felt sorry for Derry's assistant manager, John Cunningham.
"Obviously, I'm delighted we won the game," he said. "I told the lads at half-time that Derry were basically going through the motions and that was unfair as far as John Cunningham is concerned," he added.
"I don't know Kevin Mahon that well, but I've known John a long time and he's a very genuine lad, I felt very sorry for him after watching Derry perform. They had senior players doing just enough to get by but we took advantage and I felt we could have won by more."
Collins, however, has opted to err on the side of caution regarding any relegation worries.
"We need three points from our remaining four games to be mathematically safe but there's no doubt this win over Derry has given us the mental boost we required as the season draws to a close," he declared.
"I saw the Derry team sheet before the game and I felt we would have to battle. They have players of great quality and experience but they failed to perform against us.
"In the second half we dug in and battled and, thankfully, we were rewarded for our efforts. I feel we're now in the right frame of mind as we face Shelbourne on Thursday," he concluded.
Bohemians can thank their young centre-half, Sean Maher, for providing the winning strike in the 64th minute and their victory was thoroughly justified.
Paul Byrne floated over a corner and as the Derry defence failed to adequately clear their lines, Maher pounced to drive the ball high into the net from 12 yards.
Bohemians should have doubled that lead eight minutes later when Derek Swan raced into a one-on-one situation with Derry keeper, David Platt. However, the keeper came off best, producing a superb block to deny the Bohemians striker.
Despite enjoying their fair share of play throughout the first-half, Derry failed to raise their game after the break and once they lost the midfield battle, Bohemians were always in the driving seat.
Liam Coyle failed to find the net after Bohemians keeper, Michael Dempsey, fumbled a Stuart Gauld corner in the 65th minute while fellow frontman, Michael McHugh blasted over the top in the 71st minute.
DERRY CITY: Platt; D Kelly, Curran, Gauld, M Kelly; McCallion, Hutton, Hegarty, McCann; Coyle, McHugh. Subs. McCaul and McCready for M Kelly and Gauld (both 73 mins), Gilmore for McCann (82 mins).
BOHEMIANS: Dempsey; O'Connor, Maher, O'Driscoll, Brunton; Byrne, O'Hanlon, Mullen, Mooney; Swan, Lawlor. Sub. Hunt for Byrne (70 mins).
Referee: J McDermott (Dublin).
