Late double condemns Doughboys to defeat as Steelmen and Diamonds also slip up
Wellingborough Town suffered late heartbreak as their seven-match unbeaten run in the Pitching-In Northern Premier League Midlands Division was brought to a halt by second-placed Belper Town at the Dog & Duck on Saturday.
The Doughboys looked to be heading for a share of the spoils as the two teams were locked at 1-1 going into the final minute of normal time.
But the visitors were then awarded a last-minute penalty that was slotted home by Jacob Gratten, with Belper then making it 3-1 through Liam Moran to secure the win 11 minutes into time added on.
Gratten had also scored from 12 yards five minutes before half-time to cancel out Connor Tomlinson's 13th-minute opener for the Doughboys.
The frustration for boss Jake Stone will be the fact a win would have taken Borough into the top five on goal difference, but despite dropping to 10th in the table they are still in the play-off hunt as they trail fifth-placed Coleshill Town by just three points.
There was also Midlands Division disappointment for both Corby Town and AFC Rushden & Diamonds, as they suffered losses to Anstey Nomads and Long Eaton United respectively.
The Steelmen took on third-placed Anstey and suffered a 2-1 defeat despite a penalty from teenage midfielder Harrison Jones that levelled the scores at 1-1 on 77 minutes.
The visitors responded quickly though, and netted an 83rd-minute winner that sees Corby drop to ninth in the table, although they are just two points shy of the play-offs.
Diamonds travelled to fellow play-off hopefuls Long Eaton United hoping to complete a league double, but they were beaten 3-1.
The home side led 2-0 at half-time, and although Bruno Andrade pulled one back for an improved Diamonds on 67 minutes Elliot Sandy's men could not find a leveller, and Eaton sealed the win with a third goal three minutes from time.
A win would have seen Diamonds into the top 10, but as it stands they stay in 12th, five points outside the play-off places.
All three sides have a free midweek before returning to action on Saturday.
Wellingborough have a tough test as they host runaway leaders Carlton Town at the Dog & Duck, while the Steelmen and Diamonds hit the road.
Corby travel to 11th-placed Mickleover while the Dianonds go to seventh-placed Racing Club Warwick.