Northland FC finished their season on a high note as Andrew Dunn's overhead kick found the net in the final play of the final game against Te Atatu.
Te Atatu half cleared a free-kick which fell to player-coach Dan Johnston, who clipped the ball back into the area for Dunnto create a spectacular end to a disappointing season.
"It was a great way for us to end the season, we wanted to show everyone that we can play football and that we can be structured and well disciplined and that's pretty much what we did," Johnston said.
The result at Tikipunga on Saturday was a huge turnaround from the 8-0 thumping handed out by Te Atatu in the first round.
The win gave Northland FC only their second win of the season and perhaps more importantly their first clean sheet.
"It was just nice to finish such a tough season on a positive note, to score a beautiful goal and keep our first clean sheet in the last game was a nice way to end," he said. It was a matter of what might have been for the club.
"We've got six points from our last three games and that's more than the entire season put together and what's better is that we've played some good football," he said.
"If the season started now I think it would be a very different story - everyone seems to have finally clicked and... if the season started today, I think we might have finished in the top half," he said.
Instead they finished two points behind Claudelands Rovers and will be relegated. What happens next year is now up in the air but Johnston said there was a feeling of relief in the side that the season was over.
He said despite the uncertainty about next season, Saturday's performance proved that Northland can foot it in the Northern Football League.
The reserves also had a good win to finish the season in a respectable fourth place in their competition.
Rick Bazeley, Cody Lacour and Darren Green were the scorers as the home side had the better of the match and were cruising until Te Atatu scored a late goal to make the final few minutes interesting.
