Despite a late surge Ossett United were left empty handed from their latest NPL East game and now face a real battle to keep their place in the league.

An ultimately narrow 2-1 loss at seventh-placed Heaton Stannington saw James Walshaw’s men drop down a further place to be third from bottom with two games remaining.

They now find themselves a point behind Blyth Town and two behind fifth from bottom Bishop Auckland with four teams to be relegated.

And they urgently need to shake themselves out of the malaise that has seen them fail to win in any of their last six games and has led to an alarming plunge down the table with this run coming at the same time as several relegation threatened sides have seen an upturn in form.

Jack Degruchy's penalty was not enough to earn any points for Ossett United at Heaton Stannington.

placeholder image — Jack Degruchy's penalty was not enough to earn any points for Ossett United at Heaton Stannington.

In a worse case scenario United could be down on Saturday night if they lose at Consett and Bishop Auckland win their game away to Bradford (Park Avenue).

But Ossett still have belief that can come back from the north east with something against opponents with little left to play for this season having failed to make it into the play-offs. Consett are in ninth, however, so are a more than capable side.

It will be a surprise if Bishop Auckland are able to win at play-offs chasing Bradford. but Park Avenue are also United’s final day opponents at Ingfield so the size of their escape task is clearly big.

Blyth Town, meanwhile, also face a tough final two matches as they face champions Redcar Athletic who are showing no signs of slowing up and end away at Garforth Town.

Silsden, Blyth Spartans and Ashington could also still be dragged into the relegation equation, but one more win for any of these three would see them safe.

Ossett’s chances were hit when they gave as good as they got in the first half at Heaton Stannington, but found themselves behind to a goal two minutes from half-time.

It was controversial as the visitors were convinced the ball had not crossed the line following a goalmouth scramble.

And Ossett’s frustrations were added to when Heaton doubled their lead seven minutes into the second period.

They kept going and produced a big finish that saw them pull a goal back three minutes from time as Jack Degruchy was brought down in the box and picked himself up to put away the resulting penalty.

However, there was not enough time to force an equaliser and it was a long road home for Walshaw’s men.