Western Springs have become the fourth team from the Northern League to book their place in the National League Championship (NLC).
Springs defeated Eastern Suburbs 2-1 thanks to a 52nd-minute own goal at Auckland's Madills Farm in Round 20 on Saturday, confirming their top-four finish and a spot in spring's 10-team NLC.
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The green and white hoops joined presumptive league winners Auckland City, Birkenhead United and Suburbs - along with Wellington Olympic, Western Suburbs and the Wellington Phoenix Reserves from the Central League - in qualifying.
With two rounds remaining in the Northern League, Springs, now on 42 points, are just one behind Birkenhead and Suburbs.
Caspar McGavin opened the scoring for Springs in the eighth minute, with Josh Galletly equalising in the 38th minute. An own goal from Suburbs' Ernest Wong in the 52nd minute proved to be the match-winner.
Elsewhere in the Northern League, Melville United and Hamilton Wanderers gave themselves a chance to avoid relegation with wins on Saturday.
Sean Leadley and Jama Boss each scored two goals as Melville defeated Bay Olympic 5-0 at Olympic Park, moving to 15 points, one point behind Manurewa and safety for another season in the top-flight.
Wanderers scored a goal in each half in a 2-0 victory over Tauranga City at Hamilton's Porritt Stadium, getting them to 13 points. With two matches remaining, escaping relegation seems unlikely but not impossible.
In the Southern League, Golden Boot leader Garbhan Coughlan scored five goals in a 6-0 victory over Nomads United to maintain their four-point lead at the top and move within one win of the regional title.
Christchurch United pumped nine goals past Selwyn United in a 9-0 victory, which moved them past idle Coastal Spirit and into second place. Joel Stevens and Matt Brazier each scored hat-tricks.
Only those three clubs can earn the Southern League's two qualifying spots for the NLC.
At the other of the standings, UC Football and FC Twenty11 meet on Wednesday night in a match that could confirm FC Twenty11, seven points adrift at the bottom, for the drop back to the Mainland Premier League.
NZF NATIONAL LEAGUE RESULTS
NORTHERN LEAGUE - ROUND 20
Melville United 5 Bay Olympic 0
Western Springs 2 Eastern Suburbs 1
West Coast Rangers 2 East Coast Bays 1
Auckland United 3 Manurewa 1
Hamilton Wanderers 2 Tauranga City 0
SOUTHERN LEAGUE - ROUND 16
Nelson Suburbs 3 Ferrymead Bays 2
Dunedin City Royals 2 UC Football 1
Christchurch United 9 Selwyn United 0
Cashmere Technical 6 Nomads United 0
NRFL WOMEN'S PREMIER - ROUND 19
Eastern Suburbs 3 Ellerslie 1
WOMEN'S CENTRAL LEAGUE - ROUND 13
Petone 5 Victoria University 1
Waterside Karori 2 Moturoa 1
WOMEN'S SOUTH ISLAND LEAGUE - ROUND 8
Coastal Spirit 3 Nelson Suburbs 0
Cashmere Technical 11 Roslyn Wakari 0
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