SHAUN Bartlett lauded Lamontville Golden Arrows' tremendous fighting spirit after they secured the draw they required against Cape Town All Stars to return to the Absa Premiership.

SHAUN Bartlett lauded Lamontville Golden Arrows' tremendous fighting spirit after they secured the draw they required against Cape Town All Stars to return to the Absa Premiership.

"It's been a lot of hard work and I'm happy for the entire team," Arrows coach Bartlett told TV interviewers after yesterday's 1-1 draw with All Stars at Chatsworth stadium, ensuring his side cannot be overtaken at the top of the National First Division table.

"Throughout the season we have shown great fighting spirit. Even today, we did that," the former Bafana striker added.

Arrows went behind after 10 minutes and looked as if their party could be spoilt in front of a decent home crowd.

But substitute Prince Nxumalo got the equaliser in the 85th minute.

It turns out Arrows would have been crowned champions even if they had lost because their closest challengers, Jomo Cosmos, suffered a 2-1 home loss to Thanda Royal Zulu yesterday.

Cosmos stayed on 50 points but because All Stars drew, Cosmos are almost certain of second or third place and a berth in the promotion- relegation play-offs.

Arrows came storming out of the starting blocks and might have had a third-minute lead when Andile Fizikolo shot over the top after being set up by veteran striker Mabhuti Khenyeza.

But Arrows were caught out in the 10th minute by a counterattack, with Houston Hills providing a neatly timed through ball for Amigo Memela to thunder home with his left.

Nxumalo's equaliser was set up by a strong run down the right by Siyabonga Dube, whose square ball was tucked away by the former SuperSport United striker. - additional reporting by Mark Gleeson