ACOMB Hockey Club Men I lost 4-1 at home to Yorkshire League division two promotion-winners Sheffield Hallam IV in their last game of term.

The Tangerines are guaranteed to finish third from bottom.

Acomb won the first penalty corner of the match after five minutes, but a mistake in the routine led to the visitors breaking quickly and netting past keeper Craig Brown.

Acomb pressed the visitors with James Tindall leading from the front and Stuart Baxter thought he had equalised from open play - but the referee blew for an infringement on him before the ball had crossed the line.

The visitors doubled their advantage in the closing stages of the half before David Richardson got one back for Acomb with a neat finish.

Hallam's centre-forward struck five minutes after the restart, driving into the circle and firing beyond Brown's reach.

The Tangerines' back line of Baz Whitfield and Simon Theaker were doing a good job of breaking up the visitors' attacks but could not prevent a fourth goal.

Acomb II will spend another season in division five north following a 3-2 loss at now-promoted Bingley Bees.

Both teams were quick off the mark in the end-to-end game but a 15th-minute penalty corner saw the hosts take the lead.

Bees struck again nine minutes later with another such set-piece to give them a two-goal half-time lead.

Tangerines keeper Richard Crossland kept the visitors in the game with a fine save shortly after the restart but he was unable to prevent the hosts extending their advantage.

Acomb skipper Jonny Brown reduced the deficit from his own penalty corner and closed the gap further with seven minutes remaining with a fierce shot from close range.

The Tangerines, whose man of the match was defender Dave Brown, continued to battle for the leveller but were thwarted by the host defence.

The result means Acomb cannot get promoted.