Huddersfield have secured their place in Super League for 2017 in the most dramatic of circumstances with a 23-22 victory over Hull KR in the last round of the Super 8s Qualifiers.
A Danny Brough drop goal seven minutes from the end proved to be the difference on Saturday after Rovers had fought their way back from 22-4 down at halftime to draw level.
A draw would have been enough for Rovers to stay up on points difference but they must now regroup for next Saturday's dreaded Million-Pound Match against Salford or London Broncos to earn another chance of salvation.
If it's Salford, the Red Devils' director of rugby, Tim Sheens, will step aside for the game to avoid a conflict of interest as he prepares to take up a three-year contract as Rovers' new head coach.
However, it could have been so different had the game taken a different twist in an epic finish at the KC Lightstream Stadium.
Hull KR skipper Terry Campese almost snatched a draw with a 40m drop goal that bounced back off an upright while centre Thomas Minns had a try two minutes from the end disallowed for an obstruction in the build-up.
Amid the late drama, Ryan Brierley's first-half heroics for Huddersfield were almost forgotten as he took his try tally to eight in just four appearances in the Super 8s to put his side in total command.
It was the Brierley show from the sixth minute when the former Leigh favourite intercepted a pass from Campese to sprint 60m for his first try, with Danny Brough kicking the first of his three goals.
