THE death knell sounded for Lamontville Golden Arrows after the Premiership log tail-enders were held 1-1 by Bloemfontein Celtic in an Absa Premiership at King Zwelithini Stadium last night.

In a game that only came alive in the second half, striker Gabadinho Mhango put Celtic ahead 10 minutes after the break. The Malawian twisted past three defenders in the box before firing past Arthur Bartman after receiving a zippy low cross from left-back Tumelo Mogapi.

Sheer desperation and fortune got Arrows level. On-loan Orlando Pirates midfielder Manti Moholo's deflected shot from range went in off the left hand upright with goalkeeper Patrick Tignyemb dazed by the ping-pong.

Abafana Besithende had little option but to win after Free State Stars beat University of Pretoria 1-0 earlier on. Stars set a crucial nine-point buffer between themselves and 16th-placed Arrows before the latter even kicked a ball.

Arrows can start packing their bags from the National First Division as they are now required to get all 12 points available from the remaining four games and hope that Stars lose three of their last four matches.