BURY Broncos face a must-win finale at home to basement club Manchester Rangers on Saturday in their final fixture of the regular Division Two season in the North West Men's League.
They go into the match in fourth place, sitting in the final play-off spot, but with some of their rivals having a match in hand their fate is not in their own hands.
Broncos, whose decisive final game at Philips High School in Whitefield kicks off at 2.30pm, could still sneak into the top two to earn a fourth promotion in the last seven years if they win and Halton Farnworth, Leigh Miners and Leyland all lose.
That would also earn them a home tie in the semi-finals of the play-offs, which take place on October 15.
If Broncos win and one or two of their rivals lose then they will earn an away leg in the play-off semis, but they will finish outside the play-offs if all their rivals win or Bury lose.
Whatever happens in the play-offs, the top two at the end of the regular campaign will still be promoted, but sides that finish outside the promotion places that go on to win the play-offs have traditionally been promoted as well.
Meanwhile, the club's second team finish off their Division Four campaign at home to second-placed Eccleston Lions from 12.30pm on Saturday.
They completed their final away fixture of the season last weekend, losing 36-18 at play-off chasers Westhoughton Lions.
Broncos A put in a spirited display, however, taking an 18-12 lead shortly after the break before conceding four unanswered tries to spark wild celebrations as the home side secured their first ever place in the play-offs.
Second row Chris Lynch barged over from close range to level the scores after the Lions had taken an early lead, only for the Broncos to concede a quick reply on the break.
A few minutes later Ryan Latham scored his first of two tries in the game.
Kicker Andrew Willis had a rare off day, missing both conversion attempts, but the visitors showed plenty of spirit and team work to take the game to the hosts at the start of the second half.
Player of the season candidate Matthew Fish tied the scores up not long after the restart before Latham went over for another and Willis finally added some extras to give the Broncos a six-point lead.
Sadly, through sheer force of will the Lions regained the upper hand to clinch their place in the top four and leave the Broncos second bottom, stranded on two points.
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