MP Black Aces won 1-0 and Dynamos lost 7-2 which secured the Witbank’s side stay in the National First Division while Atlie FC managed a point in their last clash with Vasco Da Gama which meant nothing for the rookies.

Although there was more at stake for the bottom sides, the top two finishers behind the NFD champs – the University of Pretoria – also had the important task of making it to the promotional play-offs where they will face Absa Premiership side Santos FC.

NFD newcomers Chippa United finish second after whipping FC AK 4-0 and Richards Bay side Thanda Royal Zulu take third place after beating the NFD champs 1-0. Blackburn Rovers, who were strong contenders for the league title finish fourth after falling 1-0 to relegation contenders Bay United and miss out on the play-offs.

Prior to today’s fixtures, Bay and Dynamos who had 32 points each, knew they had the better chance of survival but while the latter got hammered 7-2, Aces, just two points behind, leapfrogged the biggest losers of the day to stay in the second tier of SA football.

“We are over the moon,” said Aces skipper Eddie Williams. “Never before ave i felt such relief and joy and appreciation for a football match. We always believed we would make it and we made it difficult for ourselves. But i can tell you we all overjoyed,

In other results United FC beat Witbank Spurs 3-0 to finish in ninth place with 39 points, and African Warriors beat Sivutsa Stars 3-2 to finish in mid-table.