COVENTRY Sphinx retained their Step Four status despite slipping to a 1-0 defeat against Hinckley LRFC on the final day of the season.
A late goal from Ben Humphreys condemned Sphinx to defeat at Leicester Road Stadium as the visitors kept themselves in the division on goal difference.
The result means Coventry finished the Northern Premier League Midlands season in 16th place, eight goals ahead of AFC Rushden and Diamonds who suffered relegation.
Final day wins for Rugby Town and Rushden meant four teams finished on 32 points with Coventry never in serious danger of dropping into the bottom two.
In a tight game, Leicester scored the only goal on 82 minutes as Humphreys guided a header into the corner of the net from a set-piece.
