Somerset Eagles clinched promotion back to the Premier Division on Saturday night after a 1-1 draw with Flanagan’s Onions in a top-of-the-table clash at Goose Gosling Field.

Eagles, relegated in 2010-11, went into the match needing just a point to make certain of going up with Onions, but there was little celebration in their camp at the final whistle as they wanted a victory to move ahead of Onions and boost their chances of winning the First Division title. They remain a point behind Onions with one game remaining against Wolves while Onions face St David’s in their final game.

Onions had a couple of good chances late in the first half to seize control of the match, but were denied by a good save from Eagles goalkeeper Gladwin Lambert to a well struck effort from Treshun Smith after being put through by Victor Anton on the right side. Lambert turned his effort around the far post.

Moments later a firm header from Phil Matthews hit the Eagles crossbar as Onions threatened again.

Eagles came more into it in the second half with a long range shot from Anwar Telford dropping just over the crossbar. Onions broke the deadlock in the 76th minute when defender Geno Smith miskicked 30 yards from goal and pushed the ball onto the path of Peter Robey who curled a low shot inside the far post.

Eagles equalised four minutes later but things quickly got heated as some Eagles players lost their cool when substitute Khimo Harrison forced the ball in from a scramble inside the box only to see the flag go up. After consultation with his assistant, referee Anthony Francis allowed the goal to stand, after learning that the flag was only to confirm that the ball had crossed the line.

However, tempers quickly flared and before play resumed Eagles midfielder Kanhai Fray was shown a red card for violent conduct towards Stephen Gould, the Onions goalkeeper.