Woolverstone boss Clive Catchpole will need to lift his title chasing side again this week after promotion was cruelly snatched away from them at Hazlewoods.

Visiting Cockfield controversially netted a late winner with the home defenders convinced the ball was a foot or so over the byline, but they didn't play the whistle and Alfie Bullett danced round keeper and captain Luke Sibbons to tap in.

Neither linemen could see clearly, the referee Paul Kitson missed it and second placed Cockfield snatched a 3-2 to do the double over Woolverstone and remain the only side to have beaten them in the SIL second division this season.

Woolverstone only needed a point to secure promotion to the first division in their centenary season and having gone behind to an early Liam Bowyer strike from a corner, they were 2-1 up by half-time thanks to Marcus Lawrence' second goal of the season, and an own goal.

Cockfield equalised after Woolverstone again failed to deal with a corner but the game seemed to be heading for the required draw before the cruel clincher.

Catchpole gave credit to Cockfield who played well, but was disappointed at the way his players underperformed.

"They are good side and we knew it was going to be hard game but it looks like it will go right down to the wire now," said Catchpole.

"It would have been good to have clinched promotion today but we will go again. If we can win all our remaining three games then we will stay top.

"We are more than capable of doing so we just have to pick ourselves up and go again."

Woolverstone naivety proved costly and the coupled with poor defending at corners showed a chink in the otherwise effective Woolverstone side.

Catchpole said: "The ball went out and four of five of our payers stopped.It was a schoolboy error not to play to the whistle and just stop and that as lost is the game."

The match ball getting stuck in a tree in the first few minutes set the tone as hefty clearances and a lack of control afflicted both sides.

Both teams hit the woodwork and there were chances for Woolvstone with top score Hayden catch pole going close and the Cockfield keeper making an excellent from close range save with an outstretched foot.

"We were not at our best today," added Catchpole. "It looks like the game was going to peter out to a draw but you can't make mistakes like that.

Woolverstone could secure promotion if they get a positive result against Elmswell next Saturday, then are hoping for a huge celebration party on March 26 when they play Melton in a rearranged game at Hazelwoods.

They also have to go back to Ipswich Athletic in April after their last visit was abandoned after 20 minutes (full story here) and that could be the title clincher.

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