HOCKEY: The game in hand over English League Division One relegation rivals was wasted by Stourport who lost 2-1 at mid-table Chelmsford on Sunday.

But the result could have been different in an even contest with Imran Yousaf missing a penalty strike late in the first half.

Midfield dynamo Jon Willicombe pulled a goal back with a rare sortie into the opponents' circle but Stourport were already two goals down.

The deadlock was broken on the half-hour mark when Jon Wilcox found space in the danger zone and finished with a firm strike.

Stourport pressed for the equaliser but Yousaf missed the great chance in the final minute of the first period.

The second half was a game of cat-and-mouse but Chelmsford doubled their lead with a flowing open-play move after 10 minutes of the re-start.

Willicombe gave Stourport hope but there was no happy ending for them and they have a crucial game at fellow strugglers Barford Tigers on Sunday (2pm).

Bournville 1 Stourport 2nds 3

The seconds rounded off their campaign in style with a deserved victory over Bournville.

Without Tom White, the task of leading the line was left to the inexperienced Phil Baldwin and Scott Dimmock.

Stourport were always quicker to the tackle but dangerous Bournville were bolstered by several first teamers.

Chris Page cleared a snap shot off the line at shoulder height before Stourport went ahead from the second of their short corners.

Nick Gray's flick was palmed away by the keeper but only into the path of Steve Ellis who slid home past two defenders.

Bournville dominated for a spell after the break but were frustrated by Dimmock's tireless tackling.

And Stourport went further ahead when Joe Wilson's skill released Andy Pocknall who beat two men before sweeping a reverse-stick shot past the keeper.

Bournville pulled a goal back when a shot was deflected past Rob Logan by the otherwise impeccable Page.

Man-of-the-match Dimmock ensured Stourport's victory with an excellent goal, deflected home following Baldwin's weaving run.

Stourport 3rds 2 Bournville 2

The thirds held the lead through a Mark McKinnon tap-in at the far post but Bournville took advantage of defensive disarray to score twice in five minutes.

Bruce Baron and Ian Roberts led a 35-minute second-half assault on the Bournville goal with the equaliser arriving 10 minutes from time.

Rob Lashford's short-corner shot was saved and the rebound fell to third-team debutant Andy Martin who swept in a reverse-stick finish.

Cannock 2 Stourport 4rds 0

The fourths have suffered from player unavailability since topping the table at Christmas.

Stourport put up a valiant fight at the weekend but Cannock are a free-scoring side.

Stourport 5ths 3 Cannock 1

The town needed to win to ensure promotion with one match still to play.

They have been the club's most consistent side all season and the recently returned Neil Thomas added an extra dimension up front.

The game could have gone either way in a goal-less first half but Neil Stone was outstanding in defence, ably assisted by Rob Claris.

In the second half, Thomas broke the deadlock then the youngsters produced two excellent goals.

Ashley Jones and Alastair Rosie scored them, both from open play, before Cannock grabbed a consolation from the last short corner.

Edgbaston 3 Stourport 6ths 0

Andy Bickerton had a fine game in defence and Kit Parnell played a mature game in leading the line.

Stourport Veterans 8 Kingswinford 2

David Knott scored five goals in the the Over-40s National Cup quarter-finals.

Andy Watson added two and Robin Conway one for Stourport who fielded more players with senior level experience.

They had the edge in terms of pace and attacking.

Fixture, Sunday: Barford Tigers v Stourport (2pm).