By Sean Ellicott (@seanellicott)

A dramatic final day of the NPL 2014 season has seen Ballarat Red Devils relegated from Victoria's top flight, following a 2-0 defeat against Oakleigh Cannons on Sunday afternoon at Jack Edwards Reserve.

The Red Devils required at least a draw to maintain survival, but two second-half goals from Dusan Bosnjak and Nate Foster all but sealed the visitors' fate.

Ballarat entered the final day with 27 points alongside Port Melbourne and Werribee City, but a draw between the latter two resigned James Robinson's side to relegation.

It was the visitors though who conjured the best opportunities of the first half over a relatively experimental Oakleigh Cannons outfit.

Cannons 'keeper John Honos was fast off his line to deny Sean Harding in a one-on-one, as Paul Harvey moments later deflected his effort from point-blank range over the cross bar among a flurry of trailing defenders.

Until then Oakleigh had controlled the majority of the contest, but the momentum carried out in Ballarat's favour for the remaining 20 minutes of the first half.

Following some excellent work off the left flank, Nelson Salvatore teed up Harding on the edge of the penalty area, only for the midfielder to hit his effort agonisingly wide of Honos's upright.

A rare mistake and turnover from Honos to the feet of Harding provided Ballarat another great opportunity before the break, but Harding's delivery across goal was cleared by Adam Le Cornu.

The interval proved to be a welcomed break for the hosts, as the Cannons kicked off the second half on top.

A powerfully driven strike by Bosnjak from range forced Aaron Romein into a fine save as Ballarat was forced into some desperate defending.

The Melbourne City youth product found the game’s opener soon after the hour mark.

A great ball by Foster released Bosnjak through on goal, before the 23-year-old sublimely finished his side-footed attempt on the volley.

Oakleigh's first prompted some nervous defending as the hosts sought to lay siege to Ballarat's goal in the following stages.

News that Werribee had taken the lead against Port Melbourne spurred on Ballarat, as it battled its way back into the contest.

Honos was called into action to deny Simon Murphy with a great save at full stretch, tipping the substitute’s header over the crossbar.

With 10 minutes to spare, Ballarat threw an array of red shirts forward in search of an equaliser.

Centre-back Daniel O'Donnell even found himself deployed as a forward as Oakleigh introduced Aron Wilford into the match to ensure some stability in front of the back four.

Despite Ballarat's best efforts, Oakleigh doubled its advantage on the counter with three minutes remaining.

A bursting run forward by right-back George Krommidas set up Foster unmarked inside the box, as the forward buried his effort into the bottom corner.

The referee's full-time whistle was met by a collection of anxious travelling supporters and players awaiting the final result between Port Melbourne and Werribee.

A cruel 95th-minute Port Melbourne equaliser however dashed any remaining hopes of avoiding relegation as a dejected James Robinson fronted the media at full time.

"It's football isn't it? It's why we love and hate it at the same time but it's football," Robinson said.

"It's not just over one game, it's over 26 so it's a combination but I'm really proud of the boys and the way they carried on battling and kept pushing throughout the whole season and never gave up, we just fell short.

"I'm proud of every single one of them."

Oakleigh assistant coach Franz Weimper, who stood in for Miron Bleibeg at the helm, described the result as a fantastic way to cap off the season.

"It's always a good way to get a result if you win and get a clean sheet,” Weimper said.

"To be fair to both teams, I thought they tried very hard on a pitch that's not really that good, but it’s always nice with all your home fans here for the last game and a lot of people say there is nothing to play for, but there is always something to play for, so it was a good win."

Ballarat is relegated alongside fellow regional side Goulburn Valley Suns.

Oakleigh Cannons finishes the season in second place, seven points adrift of South Melbourne.

MATCH DETAILS

Oakleigh Cannons 2 (Bosnjak 64', Foster 88') defeated Ballarat Red Devils 0 at Jack Edwards Reserve [HT 0-0]

Oakleigh Cannons XI: John HONOS (GK) (Harry RAWORTH 89'), George KROMMIDAS, Adam LE CORNU, Tremayne SADLER, Laurent CORALIE, Dominic D'ANGELO, Evan CHRISTODOULOU, Dusan BOSNJAK (Aron WILFORD 81'), Ian KAMAU, Veton KORCARI (Erhan YALAZ 57'), Nathaniel FOSTER.

Unused substitutes: Goran ZORIC, Omar AMMACHE.

Yellow cards: None.

Red cards: None.

Ballarat Red Devils XI: Aaron ROMEIN (GK), Charles KING (Steven THOMSON 74'), David KING, Daniel O'DONNELL, Daniel FIRTH, Sean HARDING (Dominic SWINTON 59'), Liam HARDING, Shaun ROMEIN, Nelson SALVATORE, Paul HARVEY, Deng AGUEK (Simon MURPHY 73').

Unused substitutes: Tristan ROMEIN, Jordan FRANKEN.

Yellow cards: None

Red cards: None

Pictured: Ballarat players Daniel Firth (left) and Charles King (right) trudge off the field after learning of their side's relegation. (Image credit: Julian Trantino/FFV)