It was a demolition derby at Ferney Park where Ballinamallard closed in on a top-six place with this thumping victory over Dungannon Swifts.
The big Tyrone-Fermanagh battle ended in a decisive victory for the Mallards as Jason McCartney claimed his second hat-trick of the season.
But while the Ballinamallard fairytale continues, it was a sobering afternoon for Dungannon fans.
This was Swifts’ biggest loss of the campaign and afterwards manager Darren Murphy branded it their worst performance in his time at the club.
Dungannon entered the match on the back of encouraging results against Crusaders and Portadown and made a promising start on Saturday.
But once McCartney fired Ballinamallard in front, they never looked like coming back.
The former Sligo Rovers striker doubled the home side’s advantage with an hour played before completing his treble with a stunning volley.
Andy Crawford then rammed in their fourth, to jeers of “easy, easy” from the home supporters.
This result leaves Ballinamallard well placed to secure a top-six place, although they face the hardest run-in of the chasing pack with games against Glentoran and Linfield to come.
Meanwhile Dungannon’s situation has changed little after their nearest relegation rivals, Donegal Celtic, slipped to a late loss at Cliftonville.
Perhaps things would have been different had James Costello not wasted a golden chance early on.
A square back-pass from Gareth Liggett presented the ball to the striker but, with a clear sight of goal, Costello dragged his effort wide.
Dungannon had made three changes, including a debut for January signing Tuda Murphy in place of the injured Jonny Curran.
But the goalkeeper’s first task was to pick the ball out of his net with 24 minutes gone.
A long free-kick from Liggett was allowed to reach McCartney at the back post, and he guided a right-foot half-volley into the net.
Poor defending was a feature of Swifts’ afternoon and they were nearly punished again when Ryan Campbell stole possession from Johnny Montgomery. However, he went for goal and fired wide instead of squaring to Dwayne McManus.
McCartney also had two attempts from free-kicks in dangerous positions. The first was hammered into the wall while the second, with a bit more distance and angle to work with, sailed inches over.
Late in the half Chris Curran set up Campbell, but he lifted his shot over the bar.
Costello was hauled off at half-time and replaced by Stefan Lavery, and the switch seemed to work with Dungannon enjoying a promising spell of possession.
However, despite a series of corners, they never tested Alvin Rouse. His only contribution was to thrust out a glove to stop Emmet Friars’ cross slipping under the crossbar.
Instead it was Ballinamallard who claimed a second goal. McCartney was twice denied by Murphy but, after the ball was played back in, he ghosted through the visitors’ defence before slotting home.
On the opening day Dungannon let a 2-0 lead slip at Ferney Park, but there was no question of them producing a similar comeback.
Steve Feeney had a great chance to make it 3-0 after being set up by Curran but, with time and space, fired the ball straight at Murphy.
Yet the ‘keeper was left helpless seconds later as David Kee headed on for McCartney, and he completed his hat-trick with a lovely left-foot volley from 25 yards.
The rout was completed with seven minutes remaining, another defensive blunder gifting the ball to Crawford whose low shot beat the ‘keeper far too easily.
BALLINAMALLARD: Rouse, Keohane (O’Grady, 84), Carters, Kee, Curran, McManus (Crawford, 73), McCartney, Liggett, McKenna, Campbell (Feeney, 70), Phair
Subs not used: McGrath, Hill
DGN SWIFTS: Murphy, O’Neill, Montgomery, McMinn, Friars, McKerr, Hazley, Hutchinson, Harpur (Fitzpatrick, 63), Gawley (C Lavery, 70), Costello (S Lavery, 46)
Subs not used: Douglas, Grieve
Referee: Mark Courtney (Dungannon)