Caversham kept its title prospects alive with an impressive 3-0 over arch rival Dunedin Technical at the Caledonian Ground on Saturday.
A win for Dunedin Technical would have been enough for the club to claim its first banner since it lifted the premier league title in 1999, the same year it won the Chatham Cup.
Instead, Caversham closed the gap to three points with the win but, in a quirk of the draw, will have to beat the same side again this weekend.
"We had to win to give us a chance next week so that was pleasing," Caversham coach Steve Fleming said.
"It gives us some encouragement to go to training on Tuesday and Thursday because we've got something to play for."
Caversham rocked Dunedin Technical in the first minute of the match when striker Dave Dugdale shook his marker and nodded in a well-directed corner from Blair Duncan.
"He's probably the smallest man on the pitch but got a free header and we were 1-0 up after one minute.
"Both sides had their chances and then just after half-time we got a penalty for hand ball and that made it 2-0."
Dugdale slotted the penalty and some tough defence on the competition's form striker, Aaron Burgess, ensured there would be no comeback.
Burgess had scored 32 goals from 14 matches but was kept quiet.
With just under 15 minutes remaining an Alex McGregor cross-cum-shot found its way into the back of the net.
It was unclear whether it took a deflection from a defender before crossing the line but McGregor claimed the goal for Caversham.
"The first half was quite tight but I thought we created chances in the second half and dominated them," Fleming said.
In the other match, Mosgiel beat a flat Roslyn-Wakari 2-1 at Ellis Park.
Roslyn-Wakari coach Terry Boylan said his side lacked motivation having already secured third place.
"Realistically our season was over and Mosgiel had more to play for and wanted the bragging rights," Boylan said.
Two defensive lapses by Roslyn in the first half allowed Shayne Danielson to slot a brace of goals.
Roslyn skipper Ben Keat grabbed one back in the second period.
