DURSLEY will remain in Division One of the Gloucestershire Northern Senior League next season despite finishing third-from-bottom of the table.

Needing just one point against fellow-strugglers Smiths to be certain of securing safety on Monday, Town lost 3-1 and then slipped into the bottom three when Lydbrook beat Stonehouse on Tuesday.

Smiths built-up a two-goal lead at the break and then extended their advantage in the second half before the visitors forced an own goal with 20 minutes remaining.

However, at Tuesday night’s league constitution meeting, it was decided that only two teams would be relegated, meaning Dursley will face derbies with promoted Cam next season.

Runners-up Frampton United have been promoted to the Gloucestershire County League.

Stroud Charity Cup Section A Final Dursley Town 1 Frampton United 2

BRAVE Dursley suffered a heart-breaking defeat as Karl Palmer struck two minutes from time to win the Stroud Charity Cup for Frampton.

Palmer put his side into an early lead, but Maz Meta scored a deserved equaliser on the hour and Town could have won the game before the United forward struck again.

Meta almost gave Dursley a sixth-minute lead, but, after rounding goalkeeper Craig Barnfield, his finish lacked power and Liam O’Neill was able to clear off the line.

However, Frampton responded with a period of dominance and Palmer put them ahead on 12 minutes with a sweetly-struck drive from the edge of the box.

Palmer could have had a hat-trick inside 20 minutes, but he skimmed the bar with another effort and then slipped as he attempted to round goalkeeper Pete Dykes.

Town rode out the early storm, though, and grew into the game with Simon Miles and Callum Dummelow finding a lot of space on the left.

Dursley belied the relative league positions to force the pace and they fully deserved their 61st-minute equaliser.

Jim Stevenson kept a corner in play with a far post header and Meta was alive in the six-yard box to convert in the ensuing goalmouth scramble.

Martin Booth then had a shot deflected away for buoyant Town before Meta hit the top of the crossbar with an overhead kick from another Stevenson knock-down.

Frampton came back into the game in the last 20 minutes, though, substitute James Cross firing at Dykes before Kris Bulley shot high and wide.

United’s winner came in the 88th minute, Dursley failing to deal with a long ball, which allowed Steve Jackson to pick out Palmer, who calmly beat Dykes.

Town’s last throw of the dice saw Barnfield beat away Meta’s drive at the near post before Dan McNally flicked a Lee Thomas throw into the goalkeeper’s arms.

Dursley: P Dykes; M Humphrey (Antony Nash 81), S Miles, P Miles, L Thomas; Aaron Nash, C Bailey (D McNally 66), J Stevenson (A Forgione 72), M Booth, C Dummelow; M Meta. Unused subs: L Peters, K Ward.

Goals: Meta (61).

Frampton: C Barnfield; D Huxstep, L O’Neill, G Diurno; C Cole (J Cross 66), A Cox, A Matthews, K Bulley; S Maule (F Wilson 40), S Jackson, K Palmer. Unused subs: J Browning, M Cook, Z Tyers.

Goals: Palmer (12 & 88).

* The Les James League Cup Final between Cribbs Friends Life and Longlevens is being played on Saturday (12pm) at Kingswood.