Stormont's five main parties had their first opportunity of the election campaign to go head-to-head in the UTV leaders' debate.
With just days to go until the vote, the main task for them all was to get through the pressure of a televised debate without any major slip-ups.
There were some feisty exchanges on issues ranging from the cost-of-living crisis to the First Minister post, but all five managed to escape largely unscathed.
Read more: Every candidate running for the Stormont Assembly
While they stuck closely to their key messages of the campaign, some of the Stormont leaders performed better than others under the glare of the studio lights.
Jeffrey Donaldson
The DUP leader by far came under the most sustained scrutiny of the debate.
At first he seemed muted, failing to fully seize upon newspaper reports about Sinn Féin reaching out to Saoradh on Irish unity.
However, he was forced to go more on the offensive as the challenge ramped up from Sinn Féin, the SDLP and Alliance over the cost-of-living crisis.
Sir Jeffrey was strongest when highlighting that Sinn Féin collapsed the power-sharing Stormont Executive for three years after the RHI controversy, at a time when Michelle O'Neill had been Health Minister.
But he struggled to defend the DUP withdrawing the First Minister over Brexit's Protocol - and his claims that this did not bring down the Executive were baffling. 5/10
Michelle O'Neill
With Sinn Féin ahead in the polls, the party's vice-president potentially had the most to lose from this leaders' clash.
Ms O'Neill faced pressure over Sinn Féin chairman Declan Kearney's letter in 2020 to Saoradh, a group accused of having links to the New IRA.
She claimed there was "absolutely no attempt" to form an alliance with the dissident republican party over a border poll, despite the letter inviting them to a meeting to engage on "developing a common strategy".
Ms O'Neill largely managed to stay on-message, delivering key Sinn Féin lines the party has been repeating throughout the campaign.
Although not as forthright as others in the debate, she was strongest on challenging the DUP and UUP over refusing to say if they would take up office with a nationalist First Minister. 6/10
Naomi Long
The Alliance Party leader is considered one of the better public speakers at Stormont and gave another assured performance.
She did not face any particularly difficult questions but was clear and straight-talking in her arguments.
Mrs Long concisely landed Irish Sea trade checks at the DUP's door, saying the party "had a huge amount of influence during the Brexit process and we ended up with the Protocol".
Although she appeared to be glancing at notes on the back of an Alliance document during the leaders' allotted time for opening remarks, at least it was way of bringing the party brand centre stage. 7/10
Colum Eastwood
With the SDLP failing to make headway in the opinion polls, Mr Eastwood made the most of the opportunity to challenge his political opponents head-on.
From the outset he deftly differentiated his party from Sinn Féin over its approach to Saoradh, saying: "Those people will not be involved with me in trying to build a new Ireland."
Focusing his message on cost-of-living pressures, the SDLP leader landed blows on the DUP over walking out of the Executive and shrugged off talk of a nationalist First Minister, pointing out the joint nature of the office.
And although the days of "vote Mike, get Colum" may be over, his praise of Health Minister Robin Swann may lock in some UUP transfers on polling day.
Mr Eastwood appears most relaxed in these debating environments, and this occasion was no different. 8/10
Doug Beattie
The Ulster Unionist Party leader was on the periphery of proceedings, both in terms of the seating plan and his contribution to the debate.
Mr Beattie failed to clearly distinguish his party's message from the others, particularly the DUP, saying on a number of occasions that he agreed with his fellow panelists.
With Sir Jeffrey being the focus of challenge for other parties, the UUP leader faded into irrelevance.
Even on the topic of health, he did not make the most of public support in opinion polls for Robin Swann's handling of the Covid-19 pandemic.
A lacklustre performance. 3/10
Read more: DUP MP's letter to court for Tory MP facing child sex assault charge revealed
Read more: Alliance election candidate faces watchdog probe over post about council recruitment process
For the latest politics news straight to your inbox, sign up to our newsletter here.
