Shaw Lane Aquaforce won their final league game of the season but missed out on the Evo-Stik First Division South crown by a single point.
The Ducks needed to win at Rugby, which they did 2-1 thanks to goals from Jonathan Wafula and Gavin Allott, and hope that Stafford Rangers were beaten at Coalville.
Stafford had led in their game but were pegged back in the second half, giving the Shaw Laners a glimmer of hope, which was snubbed out as Rangers held on for a point.
Aquaforce will now enter the play-offs with their one-legged semi at home on Wednesday against Lincoln United, the only team to win at Shaw Lane this season.
Just 24 hours before they will play Frickley Bramall Lane in the final of the Sheffield and Hallamshire Senior Cup.
Wednesday night's game will kick off at 7.45pm.
