Only one game separates the bottom four clubs as the relegation battle in division 2 of the Northern Football League heads for its climax.
With two weeks left in the home-and-away season, the top four positions have been settled, with North Heidelberg to face Fitzroy Stars and Lalor and Mernda to do battle in the first round of the finals.
But the situation is far more interesting at the bottom.
Hurstbridge entered last weekend’s match in last place but kept survival hopes alive by beating Epping 17.15 (117) to 8.7 (55).
A win for the Pingers would have put them a game clear in fifth spot but Hurstbridge led at every change and extend edits lead by every break.
Aron Burns kicked seven for Hurstbridge, while Aaron Willitts booted three for Epping.
The Pingers this week face Lalor, which was thrashed 19.18 (132) to 5.9 (39) by top side North Heidelberg.
Mernda was also on the wrong side of the ledger, losing 15.13 (103) to 11.4 (70) against Fitzroy Stars.
In division 1, Macleod beat Bundoora 14.10 (94) to 13.10 (88), leaving the Bulls seventh on the ladder a game behind fifth. The Bulls were 27 points down at three-quarter time, but left their run too late, despite four goals each to Cameron Cloke and Gary Moorcroft.
Finals match-ups in division 3 have been decided with one home-and-away round left.
Thomastown, which had a bye at the weekend, will almost certainly finish on top and take on Reservoir in the first week of the finals.
South Morang had a 14.23 (107) to 6.5 (41) win over Parkside, which has indicated that it will seek to rejoin the VAFA next season.
