NOT only will this home defeat by Wootton Bassett Town hurt the Rocks but also the decision by centre-half Phil Ward to leave the club.

He is going to live in Southampton and it means that manager Barry Grainger needs to get another lofty defender for next season.

The Tytherington supporters were surprised about the fate of the one of the best defensive players to join the club. It was a bigger shock when the Rocks went behind by a stunning own goal with a bullet leader by Ward that went hurtling past goalkeeper Rob Dent after 31 minutes.

The term ended for the Rocks seven minutes later, when the visitors’ centre-half, Steve Eardley, was at the far post to head an accurate cross to find the corner of the net.

Manager Barry Grainger looked back at the season and said: "We finished in eighth position which I wanted last autumn.

"Adam Keslake and Mark Viner have both been consistent all through, and many of the young men in the side played good football.

"We did have a great run after Christmas but we finished badly."

Assistant Paul Straddon said: "Most of our players are thinking of returning to us next year and we are also hoping to get some experienced men so we should have a good team next year."

The Tytherington Rocks presentation evening is on Saturday, May 9 at the Hardwicke playing field.