Newton Aycliffe moved to within a point of the Northern League First Division title when they won 2-1 at Carlisle City.
Their last two games are against Northallerton and Penrith who are both still looking for points to avoid the drop.
But it might have been a different story at Gillford Park is City had been able to take advantage of two good chances when it was 0-0.
Jordan Palmer and then Josh Simpson, who headed over from close in, could have given the Cumbrians the lead.
Manager Jim Nichols said: “They have a relentless way of playing but we didn’t really give them any opportunities apart from the goals they scored.
“Considering we had some key players missing it was a good effort on our part and when we got it back to 2-1 gave them a bit to think about.
“It’s been a long season but we have just the one game left against Heaton Stannington next Saturday and then it’s a question of weighing-up what we want player-wise for next season.”
After a goal-less first-half two goals inside three minutes from Liam Jarvie (50) and Jake Petitjean (53) put the visitors ahead.
In a late flurry Palmer pulled one back for City on 87 minutes and they were close to salvaging a point.
