Hardline Unionists opposed to Northern Ireland's Good Friday peace pact are leading the assembly election field at the moment, a result unlikely to lead to a swift return to home rule. Britain's nightmare scenario of fiery cleric Ian Paisley's Democratic Unionist Party and Nationalist Sinn Fein squaring up as the leading choices has been confirmed by early returns. DUP deputy leader Peter Robinson said it sends a clear message to London: "Now they're going to have to recognize there is a disenchanted Unionist majority in Northern Ireland and that concessions have to be made to Unionists. The whole balance of any agreement has to be put on the Unionist side of any equation." The assembly was suspended more than a year ago over allegations of IRA spying. Sinn Fein's Gerry Adams: "All the party supporters want the peace process to work," he said. "All the party supporters want an agenda that is moving forward. There'll be no re-negotiation to the Good Friday agreement whoever comes into ascendancy." If among the Protestant majority the DUP overtakes the more moderate Ulster Unionist Party of David Trimble, analysts believe it could be years before devolved rule is restored. **PHOTO CAPTION*** Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams speaks in West Belfast during a verification and count for the four Belfast Constituencies at the King's Hall Complex in Belfast. (AFP/Jim Watson)