Erin McLaughlin came back to haunt Treaty United, the Donegal sharpshooter netting twice to secure a big three points in the race for the league title.

It was far from an instant classic by Peamount but one that saw them take the points. Nerves certainly with them but nine ahead with three games left, they are in good shape but Shamrock Rovers are still on their coat tails.

McLaughlin for the second time this season proved the match winner between the two, a goal in each half helped shake off the nerves, former Pea Orlagh Fitzpatrick pulled one back before the hour mark and that setup a nervy wait for the final whistle.

For large parts of the opening half Peamount were having plenty of the possession, their chances however failed to materialise a score. Treaty were defending well and did often get up the other end, however Niamh Coombes was rarely tested.

Erin McLaughlin and Jess Fitzgerald both had efforts from range that failed to test Anne Marie-Ulliac in the treaty goal. Karen Dugan fired over minutes later following some head tennis in the box after Treaty tried to clear a lofted ball into the area.

Following some good work by Dearbhaile Beirne to get into the Treaty area, she was upended by Chloe McCarthy, referee Oliver Moran pointing to the spot. McLaughlin stepped up sending Ulliac the wrong way to give the hosts the lead 41 minutes into a cagey contest.

Looking to keep any nerves at bay, Peamount looked to start brightly in the second half, Ellen Dolan forced Ulliac into a save five minutes into the second stanza from close range.

Peas would soon double their lead, immense work rate from Freya Healy saw the youngster hold the ball well inside the Treaty area before finding McLaughlin to fire home to the net.

Celebrations were muted three minutes later, Lauryn O’Callaghan with a pass back to Coombes which was blocked down by Aoife Cronin, the ball finding the feet of Orlagh Fitzpatrick who lofted a shot over Coombes to make it 2-1 in the 55th minute. Peamount’s old player coming back to haunt them.

Despite a degree of nerves coming back into their game, Peamount were holding on, Dolan came close once again but that was saved, Ulliac was kept busy but the Canadian shot stopper was proving tough to beat.

The points would go the way of the hosts after six minutes added on, nine clear of Rovers who have a game in hand with the same to Shelbourne who have the same amount of games played as the Peas.