Pinchbeck United must wait until the summer allocation of league places to see if they have been handed a reprieve after finishing in the bottom three of the United Counties League.
Despite battling to a deserved 1-1 draw at Dronfield Town to stretch their unbeaten run to five games, the Knights slipped into the relegation places in the last game of the season.
As things stand, they will be dropping back to county league level after nine seasons playing regional football.
It is a body blow to Pinchbeck, who had looked to be staying clear of trouble with their late improvement in results but it was not quite enough as they finished one point adrift of three teams on 42 points.
A 25-yard rocket from Chris Simpkins after 13 minutes opened the scoring but the visitors were level soon after.
Joe Douce, making a superb debut in goal for the club, hit a long ball to JJ Ward. Orin Aldridge won the second ball and he played Ward through to slot past Lewis Naylor.
Pinchbeck pushed hard for the winner and Aldridge skipped past four defenders but Naylor saved his shot.
Ward’s volley was also kept out and in the closing stages the home goalkeeper continued to frustrate the Knights with Oliver Callaby’s
25-yard drive kept out before Josh Balding flashed a shot narrowly wide in stoppage time.
Knights: Douce, Stevens (Callaby), Balding, Melson, Simpson, Cranfield, Aldridge, Henderson (Panton), Foster, Cullen, Ward.
Sub (not used): Haywood.
Attendance: 253.
