Temple Fortune A became the first club to clinch promotion this season as goals from Dan Woolf, Scott Shindler (2) and Rob Benson wrapped up a thrilling win over fellow high-flyers Faithfold B in Hatch End.
Their hard-fought victory brought about the Club's first promotion to the MSFL Division 1 since 1985/86 – twenty five years ago – when Fortune last won the MSFL Division 2 title.
Beating Faithfold means that, with two fixtures remaining, the Firsts can finish no lower than runners-up.
The visitors had much the better of the first half, outplaying Fortune who were very sloppy defending as a team. But two massive errors by the Faithfold goalkeeper enabled Fortune to stay in contention and by a miracle Fortune led 3-2 at the interval.
In the second half, Fortune were vastly improved, missing many chances, but managed to take the points at the death. Shindler, looking set to break all goalscoring records as a defender at the Club, netted another two goals, one a penalty.
Delighted Fortune manager Andrew Souber told JC Sport: "The promotion is terrific news for the Club. I'm delighted for Lee, myself and all the players who have worked so hard all season for this. But we make it so hard for ourselves.
"Mission one accomplished, mission two is that championship. The first objective was always gaining promotion and I'm delighted we have achieved that."
Assistant-manager Lee Fegan added: "I'm ecstatic for the Club. This has been three years in the making for Andy and I. I'm full of praise for everyone associated with the First Team. But the job is not fully completed until we win the division."
Reflecting on the game, Souber said: "Faithfold put out a much stronger side and included striker Mike Pearson. To be fair they were much better then us in the first half and should have been well ahead.
"It is to our credit that we went in to half time 3-2 up. Second half we changed a couple of things and came out with a hard fought win.
"It wasn't a great performance from us but at this stage of the season the points are all that matter."
