Belfast counts: Alasdair McDonnell looked shocked as he emerged from the room in Belfast City Hall where the South Belfast votes were being counted, his small son held tightly in his arms above the mob of waiting journalists.
Asked if he sensed victory, he at first did not seem able to reply, then admitted: "I sense a degree of victory." Ten minutes later the rest of the candidates were lined up in the main hall waiting for the official announcement.
McDonnell eventually made his way through the crowd, accompanied by his wife and two of his three small children, to take his place, frozen-faced, in the line.
It was only when the returning officer read out his 10,339 votes and the SDLP supporters burst into cheers that his face broke into a smile and he kissed his wife. As the remaining results were declared, with 7,263 for the UUP's Michael McGimpsey, and 9,104 for the DUP's Jimmy Spratt, the extent of the split in unionism was made clear. McDonnell had slid through this crack to seize the seat from the UUP.
Spratt and his supporters made no secret of their bitterness. "In four years' time we will be back to reclaim the seat for unionism," he said. "I want to remind the UUP, you were offered the opportunity to do a deal in Fermanagh-South Tyrone and South Belfast and you declined."
There were cries of "Shame!" from his supporters, which turned to cheers as he announced: "We will be back in South Belfast." Earlier, McDonnell had pledged to work for all the voters of the constituency, whether they had voted for him or not, pointing out he had been working in the constituency for 28 years.
"It may be profitable to frustrate political progress for short-term gain," he said. "But the SDLP is still here, still kicking, we will still be here, fighting for people on the streets and on the doorsteps. People want an end to direct rule, and control of their own affairs."
He pledged to work in partnership with other MPs in the city "to restore this once great city to the pride and dignity it once had".
In East Belfast Peter Robinson was, as had been predicted, comfortably elected, with 15,152 votes, almost 6,000 ahead of his UUP rival Reg Empey.
"I thank almighty God for what is a tremendous victory, for everything He has given me and for allowing me find favour with the people," he said.
He predicted that this would be seen as a decisive election. "The DUP has been given the task of representing the whole of the unionist people. It is sad that the division that need not have been has cost one seat." Robinson went on to appeal for a voluntary coalition of all parties opposed to violence.
"There is no room for those who seek to live a double life, to be terrorists one day and politicians the next. All the weapons of death must be handed over. Personally I don't believe Sinn Féin-IRA will reach that standard. I therefore urge the democratic parties to move forward in a voluntary coalition to bring good government to Northern Ireland."
His party colleague, Nigel Dodds, achieved an equally-convincing victory in North Belfast, obtaining 16,718 votes, as against 4,904 for the UUP's Fred Cobain. Sinn Féin's Gerry Kelly came in second with 10,331 and the SDLP's Alban Maginnis third with 8,592.
Dodds also thanked almighty God for his victory, pointing out that he had increased his share of the vote from 33 per cent to 46 per cent. He said he looked forward to a long term representing the constituency.