WINNINGTON’S latest loss on Saturday was among the most agonising.

They led 22-20 with 60 seconds left, when Wigan scrum-half Matt Jeffrey sent a speculative kick into their territory.

Martin Gambles dropped onto the loose ball to touch down a match-winning try, converted by Andy Whittle.

“We snatched defeat from the jaws of victory,” rued head coach Roger Pickering.

“But again we competed, and we should be positive about that.”

Whittle’s penalty opened the scoring for Wigan early on, followed quickly by Mike Rigby’s try.

Park defended resolutely afterwards, and closed the gap by the break when Chris Sheppard intercepted a pass and touched down between the posts.

Jack Williams, filling in a full-back, added a conversion.

In deteriorating conditions after the break, Winnington edged ahead when Williams delivered a fantastic cross-field kick for winger Will Anderson to chase.

The teenager won a foot-race with the hosts’ full-back, dotting down in the corner before the ball crept out of bounds.

Their lead did not last long and Mike Cox, showing his strength, crossed for Wigan before Whittle converted.

Williams’ penalty levelled the scores at 15-15.

Wayne Bullough battled over for the home team, but a resilient Park replied again when Shaun Underdown, playing through illness, powered over.

Williams kicked successfully.

However Winnington’s hopes of recording only a second win since the turn of the year were shattered when Gambles reached Jeffrey’s kick before everybody else.

Park will hope for better fortune when they host Sefton at Burrows Hill this Saturday.

Park | Marshall, Robins, Ridgway, Taylor, Dave Cross, Lapniewski, Underdown, Stubbs, Allmark, Sheppard, Anderson, Lewis Pickering, Danny Williams, Gibbins, Jack Williams Replacements Moriarty, Evans, Neary Tries Sheppard, Anderson, Underdown Cons Jack Williams (2) Pen Jack Williams