That would qualify Stars for the African Confederation Cup and a return to CAF club competition for the first time since 2008.
Their only likely challengers for third place are Kaizer Chiefs, who are two points behind with two games remaining, though should AmaKhosi overtake Dikwena it would leave them qualfied for a CAF tournament that they find no value in competing in.
Johnson was pleased with the point gained by his side in Bethlehem thanks to an equaliser from Ndumiso Mabena after Lucky Mohomi had given Ea Lla Koto the lead.
“I thought we deserved something, we might not have played a good brand of football. Sometimes we play well and then we give it away technically,” Johnson told SuperSport after the game.
“In saying that, we should have scored more goals in the second half especially. We had a number of crosses that created good chances we did not take.
“So we have to go away with one point, but it’s a good point for us and we are happy. The boys did their best.”
Stars host Bloemfontein Celtic on Wednesday and then travel to champions Mamelodi Sundowns on the final day of the season in their hunt for third spot.
“We come up against the champions in the last game, and we are playing Celtic on Wednesday as well who are playing good football, so it will not be easy.”
Johnson has told snl24.com/kickoff previously that he has a real yearning to take Stars into African club competition.
“I was part of the club when we last played in Africa [in 2008] when we became the first South Africa side to beat Al Ahly … and we did it when they were in their prime,” he said.
“We ended up losing the tie 3-2 on aggregate, but it gave us a real hunger to play on the African stage and that has to be our target this season.”