Diogo Luis Santo converted an injury-time penalty last night to help Buriram United edge 10-man Sukhothai 1-0 and leave the Thunder Castle needing a draw to claim this year's Thai League 1 trophy.
Buriram's victory and defending champions SCG Muang Thong United's inability to get the better of ninth-ranked Port -- they played to a 1-1 draw -- means the two-horse is now almost over.
The only way Muang Thong, who have a game in hand, can overtake their bitter foes in the title race is by winning their remaining four matches and hoping that Buriram lose their last three assignments this year.
After a goalless first half in front on an empty PAT Stadium, hosts Port were given the edge by Josimar on 60 minutes, which lasted only a few moments as Leandro Assumpcao struck the leveller for Muang Thong.
Bangkok United rode on a brace by Dragan Boskovic to record a 2-1 victory over Ratchaburi which left them in third place, only one shy of Muang Thong's haul of 66 points. Ratchaburi's lone goal was scored by Natthawut Sombutyotha in the dying moments.
Elsewhere, a Rodrigo Vergilio goal in the fifth minute proved enough for Navy to claim a 1-0 victory, an upshot which is likely to destine struggling Si Sa Ket to the second tier.
Chonburi wasted an opportunity to claim three points at home, conceding a late equaliser for a 1-1 draw with Bangkok Glass.
Chiang Rai United had to rally twice to salvage a 2-2 draw at Pattaya United.
Felipe Azevedo wrote off a one-goal deficit in the second half to make it 1-1 for Chiang Rai after the hosts were put ahead in the 11th minute by Milos Stojanovic.
But Chiang Rai found themselves trailing once again when Aleksandar Jevtic scored for Pattaya United and this time it was Thitiphan Puanjan who came their rescue.
Police Tero's home game against Sutkhothai ended in a 1-1 deadlock.
