WINCHESTER City are into the play-offs in their first season back in the Southern League.

Paul Masters’ men finally made it across the finish line tonight, clinching their fifth straight draw, 1-1 at Slimbridge, to make sure of fifth place in Division One South & West.

They trailed to a 13th-minute Paul Fahy goal, but responded six minutes later when Warren Bentley squared for Craig Feeney to finish from close range.

City could have won it in the second half, but Swans keeper George Burton saved both Bentley’s penalty and Adam Roberts’ follow-up before Micky Hubbard’s free-kick was controversially adjudged not to have crossed the line.

Winchester have one last league game to play at Shortwood on Saturday.

They will be away to either Banbury or Taunton in the play-off semi-final (date to be announced) depending on who finishes second to champions Cinderford.

In the Sydenhams Premier, Sholing (Jamie Bulpitt, Dan Mason pen, Marvin McLean) beat Verwood 3-2, Blackfield & Langley (Manny Soetan, Rico Wilson, 2) won the Waterside derby 3-0 at Fawley and Bemerton (Russell Cook 2, Sam Griffin) triumphed 3-0 at Brockenhurst.