STEPHEN Farry swept to victory on another Alliance surge as the DUP was dramatically denied victory in its target seat of North Down.
While most of the focus of the election campaign had fallen on battles in Belfast and Derry, it was Bangor's Aurora centre that provided the first big story of the count.
The DUP had appeared to be in the driving seat in the constituency following the decision by Lady Sylvia Hermon to step down after 18 years at Westminster.
Alex Easton was close to winning two years ago - cutting her majority from more than 9,000 in 2015 to just 1,200 - and the received wisdom was that other candidates would struggle to match the former Ulster Unionist's personal appeal.
However, that was to discount Alliance building spectacularly on the momentum of strong council and European election performances as it continues to redraw Northern Ireland's electoral map.
With Sinn Féin and the SDLP standing aside, Mr Farry not only successfully inherited Lady Sylvia's pro-remain vote but added 2,000 more on a similar turnout of 60.1 per cent.
The Alliance deputy leader and former Stormont minister polled a remarkable 18,358 - an increase of 36 percentage points from just 3,639 when Andrew Muir stood for the party in 2017.
Mr Easton's vote was also up slightly to 15,390, although his share fell slightly, with the UUP's Alan Chambers in third on 4,936 and Conservative candidate Matthew Robinson with 1,959.
Mr Farry said it was a "huge result for the Alliance Party in North Down and across Northern Ireland", coming in the town where it was founded almost 50 years ago.
He described it as a victory for values of moderation and inclusion and a "clear and powerful message" that the constituency wants to remain in the EU.
Mr Easton said he took some comfort in vote increasing and pledged "I'll be back".
Both candidates also spoke of the importance of restoring the devolved institutions.
Alliance leader Naomi Long celebrated with her victorious candidate with a hug and a wave for the cameras.
