DIGGERS Rest responded with its season on the line and kicked away to record a hard-fought 15-point win against Lancefield at the weekend.
Ahead by four points in a low-scoring slog at half-time, the Burras booted four priceless unanswered goals to break the game open and win 7.6 (48) to Lancefield 4.9 (33).
The Tigers kicked just a point in the third term while Diggers Rest scored two goals. The first two goals of the last term gave Burras the match-winning advantage.
Victory keeps Diggers Rest fourth on the ladder, setting up an elimination final against fifth-placed Macedon at Rockbank this weekend.
Daniel McCabe was the Burras' spearhead at the weekend with four goals, while defensive trio Bevan Green, Jason Davies and Michael Hildebrand were named best for their roles in keeping Lancefield to four goals.
"Lancefield had the ball in their attacking 50 a fair bit more than we did," Digger's Rest coach Glenn Hopkins said.
"Our defence were organised and strong. Whoever broke the game open first was going to hold it and Daniel McCabe was a good target for us up forward.
"We did everything we needed to do for four quarters. The entire two hours of the game we went as hard as we could play - something we haven't done for a long time."
Hopkins said he was relieved to win and the focus would remain on his own team's consistent performance in preparation for Macedon.
Lancefield's David House kicked two goals as the only multiple goal-kicker, while Brett Caton, Dale Joseph and Tom Waters were better players.
In other key finals battles, Macedon and Romsey enjoyed comfortable wins against Broadford and Wallan respectively to clinch finals positions.