Holker Old Boys No2 Dave Round said the team and club can be proud of their efforts despite suffering play-off final heartbreak.

Their impressive promotion push fell at the last hurdle on Saturday when they lost 2-1 to Golcar United at Rakesmoor Lane.

It meant a disappointing end to a highly positive campaign for the club in North West Counties Division One North.

Jason Walker had put the hosts in front early in the second half but Golcar turned things round to force extra-time before Ben Burnett’s goal clinched promotion for the Yorkshire club.

The drama unfolded in front of a 645 attendance at Rakesmoor and Round, speaking on BBC Cumbria afterwards, said: “Looking back at the season, I think we’ve been absolutely brilliant this year.

The Mail: Jason Walker gave Holker Old Boys the lead in the final before Golcar fought backJason Walker gave Holker Old Boys the lead in the final before Golcar fought back

“We’re very disappointed with the way today’s gone – I think we deserved a bit more but full credit to Golcar.

“[After taking the lead] I just knew we needed that extra goal which I thought was going to come – we had a few chances and I thought we were going to kick on from there, but unfortunately we didn’t.

“The game died a death a little bit, and sometimes you just need that person to take control of it. Which we did in spells, but in the second half just died down a little bit.”

Holker Old Boys finished second in the league behind champions Bury after an outstanding campaign from Kevin Watkin’s amateur side.

Round added: “All the fans that came – absolutely brilliant. We’re just a little bit gutted we couldn’t bring it home for them.

“Me and Kev are looking at next season already, we’ve already asked a couple of lads to come and we’ve got a couple coming back.”