DEFEAT in their final game of the season put the nail in the coffin for Ipplepen Athletic.

Sitting rock-bottom of the Devon Football League, a home win against fellow strugglers Bere Alston United could have concluded the campaign on a high but it wasn’t to be.

Bere Alston came away with all three points after a 2-1 victory and for them, there may still be hope.

This win, a sixth of the season for them, moves them above North Molton Sports Club with Plymstock United and Newtown now in their sights. They may be five and six points behind the pair respectively but have three games still to play, whilst Plymstock’s season is finished and Newtown have just one fixture to come.

The champions at the top of the DFL move up to the South West Peninsula League whereas Ipplepen and co will drop out of step seven to the South Devon League or its equivalent.