Table three Kristianstad was undefeated after four rounds - with three wins and a draw.
Now the toughest opposition so far awaited - table four Linköping.
Exactly the same placements as last season - when Kristianstad finally arranged the position that means qualifying for the Champions League.
It is guaranteed to want to conquer the LFC this year - and had lined up three victories in a row before Tuesday.
Surprising and strong 1-0 away against Swedish champion Häcken (formerly Kopparbergs Göteborg) was followed up with 4-3 at home against Piteå last.
Maanum goal scorer
And Linköping continued with a sharp offensive - where midfield star Frida Maanum was involved in most things.
After a couple of missed opportunities, the Norwegian national team player finally managed to outsmart the guests' goalkeeper Brett Maron.
This after a brilliant collaboration with Uchenna Kanu and Elin Landström - who gave Maanum a completely free position.
Via the left post, she scored 1-0 in the 37th minute.
Maanum was then extremely close to becoming a two-goal shooter.
The heavy projectile from her hit the crossbar and on the return Ronja Aronsson shot over in a huge position.
The guests really only had one chance worth the name before the break - and it was after a corner when LFC's national team defender Nilla Fischer was about to shoot the ball in his own goal.
Certainly beaten punishment
Linköping dominated the game also in the second half - but it was Kristianstad who scored the only goal.
That was far too lenient! 56 minutes into the game, Jutta Rantala had to leave the pitch due to a knee injury.
The Östergötland shoes then created several situations to decide - not least through Kanu, Elin Landström and Olga Ahtinen.
But Brett Maron kept close and had good help from sacrificing teammates.