Panthers pounce to end promotion hopes

Newark’s hopes of promotion look all but over after they twice gave away the lead against their fellow contenders, eventually losing 3-2 to Leicester Panthers.

Knowing only a win would be good enough, Sally Davies’s men began brightly.

They went in front when a combination of play between Nick Crouch and Sam Smith resulted in a penalty flick, which captain Craig Joynes confidently stepped up to dispatch into the bottom left corner.

Newark switched off after the goal and conceded a penalty corner that led to the equaliser after the ball took a wicked deflection past keeper James Wakeland.

The second-half started with Leicester in the ascendancy and Newark had to defend well to keep them out.

As the half wore on Newark began to create chances and, with Panthers pushing hard, were able to hit them on the break.

Pressure in the Panthers’ D gave Smith the opportunity to convert from close range, and he made no mistake.

The visitors looked for a third goal to kill off the game, with Crouch and Danny Hendrie both going close.

But the missed opportunities spurred the Panthers on and the hosts levelled with 15 minutes left.

Wakeland had to make several crucial saves to keep the Leicester side at bay but was finally beaten in the dying minutes when a ball was crashed hard into the D to be deflected home.

Newark sit five points behind Panthers and Buxton, who play each other next week, with two games left.