Jonté Smith and Kemi Kings had their Kakkonen North League championship celebrations cut short at the weekend.

The defending champions appeared to have retained their title, and with it a place in the promotion play-offs, after Saturday’s 3-1 win away to KPV coupled with nearest rivals YPA being held to a 1-1 draw by TP-47.

Smith scored Kings’ opener against KPV for his 22nd goal of the season.

However, Kings’ celebrations were placed on the back burner when YPA were awarded maximum points after it was discovered that TP-47 had fielded a suspended player.

“It was disappointing not to have clinched the championship on Saturday,” Smith said. “A suspension that was overlooked by match officials and management of TP-47 have gifted them [YPA] a small bit of hope. But the title is still in our control.”

Kings, who are unbeaten in their past ten outings, hold a five-point advantage and a superior goal difference over second-placed YPA, and require only a win from their remaining two league fixtures to clinch the title.

Kings host third-placed Kajaani on Saturday before closing out the regular season away to YPA on October 4.

Smith converted at the near post in the 25th minute against KPV after being fed a short pass in the box.

Forward Sasa Jovovic doubled the Kings’ lead in the 49th minute, before KPV pulled one back in the 66th minute through Konsta Tastula.

A 70th-minute close-range finish by forward Billy Ions restored Kemi’s two-goal advantage to clinch the victory.