Shaw Lane Aquaforce will secure promotion unless Bottesford Town win by 20 goals in their final game of the season.
The Ducks drew 2-2 at home to Knaresborough Town on Thursday night to finish on 87 points in their first season in Division One of the Northern Counties East League. With two sides promoted, Aquaforce are three points clear of third-placed Bottesford Town who have a goal difference of plus 61 compared to the Barnsley club's plus 80. Bottesford must beat Grimsby Borough – who lost 13-0 at Shaw Lane recently – by 20 goals on Saturday.
Aquaforce joined from the County Senior League last season and targeted another promotion this season. They have been near the top all season but sacked manager Simon Houghton with 13 games remaining and brought in Craig Elliott who has won eight, draw three and lost two.
The Ducks needed to avoid defeat to in-form Knaresborough on Thursday and fell behind on 50 minutes. But they were ahead by the hour mark as Danny Frost levelled then scored again from the penalty spot to take his tally to 30 for the season and confirm his place as the club's top-scorer ahead of Ashley Flynn with 28. Aquaforce would have been promoted mathematically if Knaresborough had not scored a last-minute equaliser.
