Photo / Ngaruawahia United Facebook

Papakura City AFC have lost their second leg promotion playoff to Ngaruawahia United 2-1 and will remain in the NRF Championship in 2022.

After securing draw at McLennan Park during the week, Papakura City needed to win on Saturday to move up to LOTTO Division 2 but it wasn’t to be as the home side capitalised on their 1-0 halftime lead to claim victory and earn promotion.

A post on the Papakura City Facebook page congratulated their opponents in a show of sportsmanship.

“Congratulations to Ngaruawahia United AFC – Official, we wish you the best of luck on the journey ahead,” the post read.

“To the Men, you did us immensely proud, keep your heads up, the journey is just beginning.”