UKIP NI leader David McNarry (left) with the party's East Antrim candidate Noel Jordan

The Carrick man, who is a bricklayer by trade and who now sits as a councillor in his hometown, had looked by Saturday morning as if he was perhaps set to snatch Alastair Ross’ seat.

As midday approached, there were only two seats still undecided.

Sinn Fein’s Oliver McMullan had a lead of about 500 votes, and there was only about 120 votes between Mr Jordan and Mr Ross.

Sign up to our daily newsletter The i newsletter cut through the noise Sign up Thanks for signing up! Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting...

UKIP NI leader David McNarry (left) with the party's East Antrim candidate Noel Jordan

However, in the end Mr Ross won comfortably thanks to transfers from the UUP, and Sinn Fein won narrowly.

Here is how the results panned out.

Mr Jordan – who only joined UKIP in 2014 – had said on Friday night: “It was a hard day. A hard, long day. I’m very nervous, very apprehensive.

“I can’t honestly say I’m enjoying it. But I’ll tell you better tomorrow [Saturday].

UKIP NI leader David McNarry (left) with the party's East Antrim candidate Noel Jordan

“I’ve never experienced anything like this before. It’s a learning curve for me and my team.”

After his defeat was finally revealed at lunchtime on Saturday, he told the News Letter; “To say it has been an experience would be an understatement.

“I’d a great team of guys. We’re a small party, a small team.

“We have no regrets. Absolutely no regrets. We did everything we possibly could, and more.

“Yes, we’re disappointed. We’d love to have made a difference... but unfortunately we just fell at the final hurdle.”