Knockbreda have retained their place in next season’s Championship after securing an aggregate victory over Ballymacash Rangers in the Promotion-Relegation Playoff.

In the final game of the 2022/23 season in the NI Football League, Knockbreda went into the second leg of the playoff with a 4-2 lead from Tuesday evening’s first encounter at the Bluebell Stadium.

It proved to be a tense affair in the sunshine at Breda Park for the early afternoon kick-off with the game scoreless after ninety minutes, Anto Burns coming closest from both sides to breaking the deadlock.

The tie finished 4-2 on aggregate in favour of Knockbreda, who will take their place in the 2023/2024 NIFL Championship – whilst Ballymacash Rangers fail to make it back-to-back promotions after a successful first full season in the NI Football League.