Douglas 24 Winnington Park 23

WINNINGTON Park were denied a victory on Saturday when Douglas converted a penalty with the last kick of the match.

Head coach Roger Pickering said afterwards his side deserved more from their best display of the season than to suffer a sixth successive league defeat.

Winnington Park - fixtures and results

Douglas 22-7 Winnington Park - last season's meeting

“I can’t fault how we played – it’s a harsh result,” he said.

“But I saw signs this group is adapting to a new approach and, with more control going forward, they’ll start to realise their potential.”

They hope that might be as early as this weekend, when back-markers Hoylake visit Burrows Hill, kick off 3pm.

Douglas took the lead in controversial circumstances, when the protests of Park officials that a home team player had dropped the ball over the line were ignored by the referee.

The visitors drew level when Jack Williams took a penalty quickly, avoiding attempts to stop him to touch down a try he converted himself.

His teammates dominated up front, but they were caught out by a counter-attack that ended with a second converted try for the Isle of Man outfit.

Jack Williams kicked a penalty, as did Douglas at the other end, before the break.

The hosts increased their lead when their winger punished weak tackling, although it prompted Park to reply.

Harry Stubbs picked up from the base of a scrum and powered over, converted by Williams who slotted two penalties in quick succession to put his side in front with five minutes left.

Lindsay had a try ruled out, then Douglas pinched the points with seconds to spare.

Park Ridgway, Brown, Underdown, Dave Cross, Alston, Snasdell, Danny Williams, Stubbs, Matthew Cross, Jack Williams, Lamb, Lindsay, Lewis Pickering, Witter, Sheppard Replacements Allmark, Jarrod Pickering, Lapniewski Tries Jack Williams, Stubbs Cons Jack Williams (2) Pen Jack Williams (3)