North Force Men gained the result they needed when they drew 2-2 with Lynn Avon at Kamo Sports Park.
Heading into the match, the hosts were in ninth spot and needed at least a draw from the Northern Region Football League Division One match to distance themselves from the relegationzone - the bottom two teams from 12 on the ladder.
Lynn Avon, in 10th place, were out for the win and three points and were relentless throughout the match.
The visitors led halfway through the second spell but North Force's Cody Lacour saved the day when he scored the equalising goal in the 90 minute, taking pressure off the side for their two remaining games this season. "We are clear of the relegation zone which was the goal of this match ... the last two games [against Manurewa and Matamata] are dead rubber games for us. We can just go out there and play," North Force coach-player Scott Burgess said.
North Force were dominant in the first half of Saturday's match, with striker Darren Carter nailing the first goal after 25 minutes.
In the second half, Lynn Avon started well and North Force went to sleep, Burgess said.
The visitors made the most of North Force's complacency and scored after 20 minutes and again from a penalty with 15 minutes remaining.
North Force were playing catch-up football, and as the game grew to a close, Lacour secured the draw for a desperate home team - leaving them in ninth spot on the table, but nine points clear of the bottom placed Onehunga Mangere. Lacour later received the man of the match award for his efforts at left back, while his brother Charlie Lacour had a busy game up front with centre back Jeremy Rintoul and striker Darren Carter also impressing Burgess. On Saturday North Force are away to Manurewa, who are fighting for promotion into the premier division.
