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AMBITIOUS Mabvuku side Scottland survived a big scare against Herentals Under-20 at Rufaro yesterday to inch closer to a historic promotion into the Castle Lager Premiership.

Two second half goals by Cleopas Dube and Leeroy Mavhunga earned Scottland a nervy 2-0 win in the penultimate round of Northern Region Soccer League.

Leaders MWOS conceded two late goals in a 4-2 win over neighbours Norton Community to ensure the title race goes into the final day next Friday.

MWOS currently lead the NRSL standings with 82 points from 37 matches while Scottland have 81 from 36 matches.

However, Scottland are set to get three points on a 3-0 scoreline from their abandoned match away to Karoi United, who were found guilty by the NRSL disciplinary committee.

Any official announcement is due on Monday with the delay being a consideration of mitigation on the sanctions to be slapped on Karoi United.

The three points will take Scottland top os the standings with 84 points from 37 matches with one round of matches remaining.

Next Friday, Scottland will host Black Mambas at Rufaro while MWOS will be at home to Agama FC at Ngoni Stadium.

NRSL leading scorer  Everson Feremba, Wisdom Mutasa Godfrey Manase and Noah Simango gave MWOS a 4-0 lead after 79 minutes, but relegation threatened Norton Community scored twice in the last 10 minutes.

In the day’s other matches, Black Mambas continued with their fine form by beating Black Rhinos 2-1 at the Heart Stadium while Golden Eagles walloped Ngezi Platinum Under-19 4-1 at the Baobab.

Attention was on the two remaining title contenders and at halftime MWOS were cruising at 3-0 while Scottland and Herentals were deadlocked 0-0.

Scottland were ruing the far side assistant referee’s flag that ruled out what seemed a fine long range effort by veteran midfielder Allan Gahadzikwa in the 26th minute.

Despite dominating possession, Scottland players were in a hurry to get a goal and the turnover rate was very high as a result.

Dube’s persistence resulted in the scrambled opener  in the 56th minute while Mavhunga sealed victory 14 minutes

After the match, businessman Wicknell Chivhayo pledged US$1 million for Scottland if the club wins the NRSL title.

Second half substitute, King Nadolo who put a man of the match display said it is a good feeling to collect maximum points.

“We played good football in the second half as we managed to change the game.

“It was a god feeling for me to come in and change the game.

“At first we had the pressure but as the game progressed we calmed down. We had to get back to the basics and it enabled us to change the game.

“We told each other to keep on doing what we have been doing all over the time.

“We were not supposed to put ourselves under pressure but you know the pressure was always there like you could see in the first half that players were trying to overdo things.

“But as the game progressed we managed to calm down and play to our strengths and thank God we managed to get the three points.

“When I was on the bench I was observing everything in terms of our opponent’s strength and weaknesses. When I came in I had it figured where I need to make the runs and change the complexion of the game.”

Herentals forward Xavi Mataranyika conceded defeat.

“We threw all we had at them but they looked like they needed it more than us.

“But we will go back to the drawing board as we look to finish the season on a positive note.”