The Carolina RailHawks will have to wait until at least Thursday before learning their playoff fate.

With the chance to clinch the USL First Division’s eighth and final playoff spot Saturday, the RailHawks went down 1-0 to Portland in their regular-season home finale before 6,545 at SAS Soccer Park.

Though it wasn’t the preferred result, the loss doesn’t cripple Carolina. As long as the RailHawks win one of their final two games (Thursday at Minnesota; Saturday at California), they’re in to the postseason.

“Overall, we played well but we did not execute to win,” said Carolina midfielder Chris Carrieri. “And it’s very frustrating because that’s the story of our season. We play well ... and we’re not coming through. The fortunate thing is we have two games left.”

Getting three points Saturday was going to be a tall order for the RailHawks (7-11-8, 29 points). Portland (14-5-8, 50 points) entered the night allowing a league-low 18 goals, while Carolina had scored 22, second-fewest in the league. Timbers goalkeeper Josh Wicks was tied for the league lead in wins (12) and shutouts (12) and had the second-best goals against average (.653).

Carolina’s best scoring chance of the first half came in the 26th minute. Frankie Sanfilippo sent a ball across the field to Carrieri. Carrieri chested the ball down and left it for Kevin Jeffrey, who ran onto ball but blasted it high.

Three minutes later, Portland had a strong chance on a free kick. From 30 yards, David Hague’s low strike forced Carolina goalkeeper Chris McClellan to dive to his right to keep the match scoreless.

As the match wore on, Carolina controlled possession but never had another solid look at the goal. Wicks made six saves to post his clean sheet, but he didn’t have to leave his feet to make any of them.

“They’re real good in the back,” said Carolina coach Scott Schweitzer. “If you can’t get an early goal on them, then they never open up. And that’s what they did. They’ll just sit and sit.”

Though Portland didn’t attack much, the Timbers managed to put one in in the 80th minute. Portland midfielder Luke Kreamalmeyer flung the ball toward the goal just before it rolled over the touchline. The ball deflected off Carolina defender David Stokes’ heel and snuck into the goal at the near post. Portland forward Bryan Jordan was credited with the goal.

“It’s one of those unlucky goals,” Stokes said.

Portland had a playoff spot wrapped up two weeks ago, but the Timbers had plenty to play for Saturday.

The win vaulted them into first place in the USL-1 table, and they’re two points clear of Seattle entering the season’s final week.

“I think we were a little bit lucky tonight, but it’s not like we’re going to turn it down,” said Portland coach Gavin Wilkinson.

With two games to play, the RailHawks are in a similar situation. They don’t care how a win comes about, as long as one does.

“All we have to do is win,” Stokes said. “We win these last two, it’s no problem.”