The battle for survival remains tight following a 1-1 draw between Para Hills and South Adelaide in Round 24 of the South Australia Premier League at The Paddocks on Saturday.

Jacob Williams’ goal had the Knights ahead at half-time, but South fought back through Andrew Jenkinson’s first strike of the season to grab a point.

Para Hills Coach Simon Catanzaro was happy to edge closer to survival.

“I was worried about this game after playing some of the bigger sides in recent weeks, but while the win would have been nice, I am happy with the point,” he said.

“The situation remains in our hands. The pressure is on the teams below us and we take plenty of confidence from our four-game unbeaten run.

“The aim is to go out there next week and get the win to seal our spot. It’s irrelevant what happens elsewhere, so we’ll focus on ourselves and take it a game at a time.”

The Panthers winless run has extended to eight games, but Coach Danny Graystone praised his side’s resilience.

“It was a very tough game. In the first half I felt we were the better side, then they scored against the run of play. But the guys were resilient and got the goal,” he noted.

“I told the guys at half-time to build on what we had done in the first half and to be patient. I think we did well.

“The point still leaves the situation in our hands. We believe in ourselves and will look to get the win next week.”

The Knights, two points above South heading into the match, knew a win could seal survival. They grabbed the opening goal five minutes before the interval when a long ball forward was finished well by Williams.

Yet the visitors ensured they remain three points above the relegation zone thanks to an equaliser inside the final 15 minutes.

Chris Reed’s long throw was flicked on towards Jenkinson at the back post to slot home.

The result leaves Para Hills one win from safety, while South are just three points above 13th placed Cumberland United.

Elsewhere on Saturday, Western Strikers registered a shock 1-0 victory over Adelaide Blue Eagles at Carnegie Reserve.

Adrian D’Alfonso scored the only goal of the game after half-time to ensure Strikers remain a chance to avoid the drop and at the same time denting Blue Eagles hopes of finishing in the top two.

Campbelltown City kept their finals hopes alive with a 2-0 victory over Raiders at the Croatian Sports Centre.

The Red Devils grabbed an early goal through Rhys Townsend, before Michael Matricciani found the target in second half injury time. Campbelltown are three points from sixth, but Raiders are out of the hunt.

Adelaide City maintained control of sixth position with a 2-0 triumph against West Torrens Birkalla at Jack Smith Park.

Joel Allwright set the Black and Whites on their way, before a second goal from Shane Tobias just past the hour mark sealed the points.

Second-placed Croydon saw their advantage carved to one point after they drew 1-1 with relegation threatened Cumberland United at Polonia Reserve.

The Kings looked set to continue their late-season march when Shaun McGreevy netted, but a second half equaliser from Jordan Pegoraro helped the Foxes maintain their hopes of survival.

Adelaide Comets secured back-to-back wins with a 2-1 success against White City at Santos Stadium.

The home side led at the break following Samuel Tesfagabr’s goal, while George Aslanidis doubled the advantage. The Warriors found the net with an own goal, but are now out of finals contention.

MetroStars are minor premiers following a 2-1 victory over West Adelaide at TK Shutter Reserve.

The visitors – still in the hunt to finish second – took the lead through an early own goal, which was soon cancelled out by Matthew Deegan. Ten-man MetroStars notched their 13th successive win and clinched top spot thanks to Perry Mitris’ goal soon after. The striker was also sent off in the 26th minute.