After a brilliant run to the National League Division One play-off final Oulton Raiders could not quite get over the line to earn promotion.

Despite finishing in sixth place in the league the Raiders had knocked out champions Dewsbury Celtic and third-place finishers Dewsbury Moor Maroons on the way to the final, but fell short against East Leeds, losing 23-10 in a game played at Wakefield Trinity’s DIY Kitchens Stadium.

Oulton were well served by prop Matty Stableford and had the better of the early stages of each half.

The Raiders, who had won 19-18 at Easts but had lost 26-10 at home in the league, started strongly and went in front in the fifth minute when full-back Joe Horan crossed after the ball had been spread out wide.

Oulton Raiders put up a battling display but fell just short of promotion in their play-off final at the DIY Kitchens Stadium.

placeholder image — Oulton Raiders put up a battling display but fell just short of promotion in their play-off final at the DIY Kitchens Stadium.

Scrum-half Archie Craggs was unable to convert but landed a penalty soon after.

Easts opened their account on 16 minutes when full-back Luke Littlewood nipped over after astute approach work by half-backs Dave Gibbons and Owen Hughes.

Littlewood converted his own score, with the help of an upright, and added a penalty six minutes before the break.

Easts extended their lead at the interval to 14-6, Gibbons scampering in from 10 metres and Littlewood improving.

Oulton were, again, the first out of the starting blocks in the second period, as hooker Kian Watson and Stableford combined to send back rower Ben Brady through a huge gap to score.

But Easts stretched their lead to six points when Littlewood landed a penalty and with eight minutes left he gave his side breathing space with another goal.

Littlewood backed that up by collecting a deft Gibbons kick and sending Isaac Colemen over. He then capped a man of the match display with a late drop-goal.