East Fife boss Billy Brown said his side’s survival remains completely in their own hands.
The Fifers progressed through to a two-leg Second Division play-off final with Peterhead after seeing off brave Berwick.
Liam Gormley secured the win with a goal in the last minute of extra-time after a Darren Lavery penalty and a Kevin McDonald own goal had left the score level after the 90.
East Fife’s leveller came in bizarre circumstances after McDonald turned the ball into his own net while trying to clear following a saved penalty from Scott McBride.
Bayview boss Brown said it was the sort of fortune that hasn’t been seen too often around Methil this term.
He said: “Berwick are a decent team and have decent players and will be sick at losing it so late. But there you are, it’s not gone East Fife’s way very often but it did today so I’ll take that.
“We showed a wee bit today because we had nothing to lose so just went for it. Now we’ve go to be ready for two very hard games and if we play like we can then we‘ll win.”
After a 1-1 draw Berwick during the week, Ian Little brought his side to Bayview looking to dump East Fife into the Third Division. But it was the Fifers who dominated the early proceedings as they started at a fine tempo.
Bobby Barr found Scott McBride early on but his header was held by Marc McCallum.
Clear-cut chances were at something of a premium during a match in which there was so much at stake.
Calum Antell had to look lively to save from the feet of Lavery but the Berwick man wasn’t to be denied.
Steven Campbell looked to have been harshly penalised when he fouled inside his own box.
Lavery showed no mercy, though, as he slammed past Antell.
East Fife, though, were never going to lie down and they forced referee Brian Colvin to award them a spot kick of their own. David Muir was tumbled over by McCallum and the ref pointed to the spot.
McBride saw his penalty saved only to watch on as McDonald turned past his own keeper. That saw the end of the 90 minutes as both sets of fans had to endure a nervy 30 extra time period.
Again there was little created with only really a Gareth Wardlaw half chance of note. That was until Gormley sent the home fans into raptures when he tapped in from close range.
Goals from Darren Cox (2) and Rory McAllister gave Jim McInally’s Peterhead a 3-1 victory over Queen’s Park in the other semi. The Blue Toon won 4-1 on aggregate.