A soggy and slippery pitch failed to stop defending champions Buriram United from carving out a comfortable 2-0 victory over hosts Nakhon Ratchasima in Thai League 1 last night.
The win for the Thunder Castle in the northeastern derby ensured that the picture remained unchanged at the top end of the league table with Buriram maintaining their nine-point advantage over Bangkok United.
It was prolific Brazilian forward Diogo Luis Santo who produced both goals for Buriram.
While Buriram now look like a certain bet for this year's title, Diogo also remains on course to finish as the top scorer in the league.
Bangkok United were expecting a tough game away at Navy's stadium in Sattahip but they ended up enjoying a goal-scoring night as the second-placed capital side recorded a 4-0 romp.
Navy were sunk into deeper trouble as the big loss -- which followed an impressive 5-1 victory over Air Force Central on Wednesday -- left them staring at life in the lower tier at the end of the season.
With only six games remaining, Navy's total stands at 25 points that leave them with only a faint chance of avoiding the drop.
Bangkok United were put on course to victory by former Iran international Mehrdad Pooladi, who struck home in the 15th minute.
Sittichok Kannoo doubled the margin four minutes before the break.
Sumanya Purisay was on target for Bangkok United in the 60th minute and veteran striker Teerathep Winothai added his name to list of scorers, finding the net in the 79th minute.
Meanwhile, SCG Muang Thong United's plans for launching a late campaign to steal a place in next year's AFC Champions League qualifying play-offs received a boost as a couple of substitute players lifted them to a come-from-behind 4-2 win over Police Tero.
The Kirins were left reeling as hosts Police struck twice through Marcos Vinicius, who scored on either side of the break, to claim a massive 2-0 advantage.
Jakson Coelho was finally able to guide one into the net for Muang Thong shortly before the hour mark to reduce the arrears to 2-1.
Left-back Weerawut Kayem, who was sent in the second half, quickly grabbed another goal to put Muang Thong level with Police.
Substitute Poramet Arjvirai edged the Kirins in front with a late goal ad Heberty Fernandes converted a last-minute penalty to seal the fate of the match.
The match brought no respite to struggling Police coach Totchtawan Sripan, who steered the Kirins to the league title two years ago.
At UMT stadium, hosts Ubon UMT United suffered a 3-1 defeat at the hands of Pattaya United.
The Dolphins started well but were only were able to draw the first blood when Lukian Almeida scored in the 56th minute to give Pattaya the lead that lasted only one minute as Korawit Tasa equalised for Ubon.
Pattaya United continued to dominate and scored two more goals through Carlos de Souza Silva in the 72nd minute and Sarawut Kanyanabundit two minutes later for the 3-1 win over Ubon.
Four matches are to be played tonight with Port facing Chainat, Chiang Rai United meeting PT Prachuap, Bangkok Glass taking on Ratchaburi and Suphanburi hosting Sukhothai.
