Rover Oxford Ladies lost their National League status after a brave effort at the Inter-League play-offs at the Belle Vue Leisure Centre in Manchester over the Bank Holiday weekend.
They gave thermselves a real chance of remaining in English League Division 2, after losing their opening match of the play-offs 2-0 at home to Letchworth last month, by drawing with table-topping Worcester Norton, the Midlands champions, and then beating St Austell.
But yesterday, needing to beat Epsom by two clear goals to overhaul the South League champions and take second place in the table, behind Worcester Norton, they were held to a 1-1 draw.
That also denied Epsom a place in the National League, as the Surrey side finished third, just behind Ben Rhydding on goal difference.
In Monday's crunch finale, Kim Cook gave Rover the lead but Epsom equalised shortly after half-time.
On Saturday Rover drew 2-2 with Worcester Norton, with goals from Cook and Roz Bray.
The following day two goals from Marie Hayden brought Rover a 2-1 victory against St Austell.
Final positions: (top four) Worcester Norton 11 pts, Ben Rhydding 8, Epsom 8, Rover Oxford 6.
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