WHITCHURCH United nearly pulled off a huge upset in the race from Wessex Premier League promotion on Saturday as they held off Blackfield and Langley for 87 minutes before eventually falling to a 4-3 defeat.

The mid-table Jam Boys led the league's third placed side by a goal until the 85th minute but two late goals for the Watersiders maintained their promotion push and condemned United to a defeat on their final league game of the season.

Playing at their Longmeadow home, the plucky Jam Boys knew they had a difficult game against a Blackfield side, locked in a promotion battle with Sholing and United's local rivals Andover Town.

However the visitors had to wait until the 25th minute to open the scoring through captain Samuel Poole.

Keen to finish their season on a high, United hit back soon after through Scott Hassell before taking a 2-1 lead through Rudy Plummer.

The hosts took the lead into half time but were soon pegged back when Joseph Bryne beat Brad Snelling in the Whitchurch goal.

United continued to look dangerous on the attack and regained their lead through a Jack McCarthy goal.

With news filtering in that both Andover and Sholing had comfortable leads in their Saturday fixtures, Blackfield piled on the pressure in the final ten minutes.

They were rewarded five minutes from time when Carl Preston struck an 85th minute equaliser, only for Rico Wilson to score two minutes later to secure a 4-3 victory for the Watersiders.

The result means Whitchurch finish their season in 15th place.

Meanwhile Blackfield will be able to secure a second placed finish, and possible promotion to the Southern League, if they win their remaining fixture against Fareham Town this week.