Eccleshill United 2 Yorkshire Amateur 4

If Eccleshill United are to win promotion to the Toolstation Northern Counties East Premier Division, they will have to do it via the play-offs after they lost out on runners-up spot with a home defeat to neighbours Yorkshire Amateur tonight.

The Leeds side took the spoils in what was a winner-takes-all battle for the second automatic place.

There was a tense atmosphere at the Mitton Group Stadium which led to an edgy first few minutes but the visitors were soon into their stride.

The Ammers’ leading scorer Ashley Flynn sent in a seventh minute header that grazed the outside of Eagles keeper Dom Smith’s post.

The visitors broke the deadlock midway through the first half with a shot expertly curled high into the net after a corner had been played to the edge of the area.

Eccleshill’s task became even harder when Amateur rattled in two goals in as many minutes just after the half hour.

A long through ball gave Flynn the chance to race away and he accepted the opening – slotting past Smith, and soon after the Ammers were three up after an effort was chipped over the home keeper.

The Eagles grabbed a lifeline minutes before the break when they were awarded a penalty for a handball in the area. Antony Brown stepped forward and placed his spot kick just wide of the diving keeper.

The visitors suffered a blow just six minutes into the second half when their left back was sent off after picking up a second yellow card but the home side couldn’t capitalise on their numerical advantage.

Eagles’ skipper Sam Bradley saw a shot from distance hit the bar and Tom Rose slotted in the rebound but an offside flag cut short any celebrations. Ammers hit the woodwork themselves soon after and then extended their lead two minutes later.

The home side never gave up and they were awarded a second penalty late on. Brown netted his second from the spot but with less than seven minutes remaining it was not enough and the Eagles ended in fourth place after Grimsby Borough’s 2-2 home draw saw them leapfrog Eccleshill on goal difference.

Sean Regan’s men will now host Shirebrook Town in the play-off semi-finals.