The former Ford Sports outfit collapsed to a spectacular 9-0 reversal at Dogsthorpe to finish fifth on goal difference in Division One, locked on 52 points alongside Rothwell Corinthians and Huntingdon.

Third place was required for promotion, but United's goal difference (+8) eventually fell well short of both Rothwell (+18) and Huntingdon (+11).

Bitterly disappointed manager Darran Foster reflected: "At least we now have another 12 months to get some pennies together to launch a Premier
Division bid."

Foster will consider his position in the next fortnight but is expected to soldier on in view of an offer of assistance from the experienced
Tommy Young.

The Royal Oak boss again had to play in goal himself after loan signing Tom Wiltshire was recalled by Brackley Town on the Friday night.

Roger Leeson lacked the confidence to step back into the first team, top scorer Tommy Waldock was working at the weekend and central defender Ross Irvine failed to show up.

My records stretch back to 1983 and nowhere could I find Ford conceding more than the eight goals scored by Crook Town in the FA Vase two seasons ago.

Meanwhile, Long Buckby will have to wait until later this week to find out whether or not they have finished runners-up to Stotfold in the Premier Division following Blackstones' 1-1 draw with Spencer on Saturday.

The Stones must win at St Ives to prevent the Bucks from taking second spot for the first time since the 1983-84 campaign.

The omens looked good for the Stamford side which won 2-1 at St Ives in a recent Hinchingbrooke Trophy tie.

On Tuesday night, Long Buckby drew 1-1 with Leighton Town in the second leg of the Buckingham Charity Cup semi finals but lost 3-1 on aggregate despite a goal from Russell Dunkley on an increasingly water-logged Station Road pitch.