Newent Town 0 Cam Bulldogs 1

CAM Bulldogs' hopes of taking the Northern Senior League Division Two title were dashed despite their final day win at Newent.

Bourton Rovers' 2-1 victory at Bishops Cleeve Reserves meant that the Cotswolds side remained two points ahead at the top of the table to become champions.

Nevertheless, the Bulldogs will be promoted as worthy runners-up having lost just three times in the league this season - never by more than a single goal.

Manager Stuart Grimwood paid tribute to the hard work of everyone at the club over the course of the season.

He said: "Although it's a little disappointing to miss out on the championship, the main thing is that we have been promoted. We've deserved it over the course of the season.

"All the players have been excellent from start to finish and they have really earned their places in the first division next year.

"However, I must especially thank my assistant manager Gary Browning who is stepping down after two tremendous years to play a more reserved role at the club.

"His contribution this season has been invaluable and he will certainly be missed in the dressing room."

Cam went into the match knowing that they needed a victory to be in with a chance of winning the league, while lowly Newent knew that anything less than a win for them would send them down.

With the Bulldogs already promoted it was perhaps unsurprising that Newent started the better and could well have taken the lead inside five minutes but for a timely block from Dave Spencer.

The home side continued to force the pace and from a half cleared corner a 20 yard drive looked bound for the top corner until Ben Jagger superbly palmed it over.

Cam were struggling to get a foothold in the game and were given a major let off when an offside flag ruled out a Newent goal from a far post header.

The scare finally jolted the Bulldogs into action and after 20 minutes the home side survived a goalmouth scramble following a twisting run from Steve Bennett.

Grimwood's men were getting ominously into their stride and Bennett, Pete Holder, Maz Meta and Tony Goodwin then combined for a flowing move to force a corner, although nothing came of it.

However, ten minutes before half-time the visitors were gifted the lead when Goodwin robbed the over-confident centre-half inside the box and instantly despatched the opening goal from ten yards.

Cam took the momentum into the second half and, although they had to work for it, applied most of the pressure.

On the hour they came within an inch of a second goal when Goodwin played in Holder on the left, but the youngster's shot thudded against the upright and Meta could not turn in the rebound.

The referee, who had been infuriating the Bulldogs bench from the off, then made his worst decision of the game, blowing up for a Newent foul despite the fact that Meta was clean through on goal.

Cam, for whom right wing-back Nathan Vines was outstanding, were creating plenty of chances, but could not convert any of them to make the game safe.

Ian Cheshire was caught in possession after being played in by Holder, while Meta saw his low drive deflected wide by the goalkeeper.

Andy Hopkinson then headed over from a corner when Spencer was perhaps better positioned behind him.

Desperate to avoid the drop, Newent threw men forwards late on but failed to test Jagger as Hopkinson, Brad Price and Joe Iatelese showed why the Cam defence has gone through the whole season without ever conceding more than two goals in a game.

On 90 minutes Meta blew another chance, but the Bulldogs held on to what they had, although Bourton's win meant it was only promotion and not the title.