Two late goals gave Buriram United a 3-1 victory over Port last night and ensured that the Thai League 1 leaders will be going into the Songkran break with their hefty lead intact.
Buriram suffered through a torrid time for almost 30 minutes in front their home crowd before they were able to get even with Port, who were put ahead in the 12th minute by Nurul Sriyankem.
Coming to the Thunder Castle's rescue once again was their prolific Brazilian forward Diogo Luis Santo, who struck home the equaliser in the 27th minute.
Buriram had their moments in the Port's half in the second half but they only started scenting a victory when defender Andres Tunez gave them the edge in the 80 minute.
Edgar Bruno added the third to total shortly before the final whistle as Port suffered their third straight defeat in the league.
Buriram have 26 points from 10 matches, seven ahead of PT Prachuap.
Prachuap, the top-flight first-timers who had been having a dream a run in the tournament, saw their title challenge suffer a massive blow when they were beaten 2-1 away at Ratchaburi Mitr Phol last night.
Ratchaburi were impressive in the first half and went 1-0 up when Rosimar Amancio found the net in the 35th minute.
Prachuap's hopes for stealing a point from the match were resurrected 10 minutes from time by striker Amorn Thammanarm, but Soo Il-Kang had other plans as his late goal handed the maximum three points to the home team.
Bangkok Glass remained precariously placed, hovering only two points above the five-team relegation zone following a 1-1 draw away at Sukhothai.
The Glass Rabbits were handed the advantage by Matthew Smith in the second minute but they finally caved in to the pressure mounted by the home team, conceding the leveller in the second half scored by Nelson Bonilla.
The other capital side Bangkok United, however, continued their recovery as they claimed a convincing 2-0 triumph over Nakhon Ratchasima at home last night.
Bangkok United struck on both sides of the break with Robson Fernandes netting the first goal and Ekachai Sumre delivering the second.
In other matches last night, relegation-threatened Chainat claimed their second league victory this season when they defeated Navy 1-0.
Hosts Police Tero were engaged in an exciting tussle with Ubon UMT United 3-2 at their home ground before registering a narrow 3-3 victory.
Striker Chayawat Srinawong's third-minute goal proved enough for Pattaya United to beat Chonburi 1-0 in the eastern derby.
No league matches are scheduled to be played this weekend.
