Wellington's beaten North Harbour 29-28 in a must-win match at Albany to remain in domestic rugby's ITM Cup Premiership next season.
Wellington were outscored four tries to two but sneaked home thanks to the faultless goal-kicking of first-five Lima Sopoaga, who kicked five penalties and two conversions.
North Harbour led 23-10 early in the second spell as the Lions missed a truckload of tackles and made numerous handling errors, looking as if they were at the bottom of the second tier Championship, rather than Harbour.
Southland are now relegated to the second tier Championship for next year.
