BUNGAY'S dream of successive promotions virtually died with a 1-0 defeat at home to Kirkley and Pakefield Reserves on Saturday.There is still a mathematical chance of finishing in second place in the Anglian Combination division one - top spot is out of reach - but it is a forlorn hope.

BUNGAY'S dream of successive promotions virtually died with a 1-0 defeat at home to Kirkley and Pakefield Reserves on Saturday.

There is still a mathematical chance of finishing in second place in the Anglian Combination division one - top spot is out of reach - but it is a forlorn hope.

The Black Dogs deserved something from this game, but for the third successive time at home they were beaten by a single goal.

The goals have dried up - Bungay have scored just once in the last six games, and despite having the second best defensive record in the division, only two teams have scored fewer. Once again they were unable to take their chances.

The visitors, who enhanced their promotion chances with this win, beat the offside trap in the sixth minute, but Nathan Einecker forced Twomlow wide and then saved his angled shot.

Two minutes later the young keeper did even better. Kirkley were awarded a penalty as Payne was judged to have fouled a forward in the box, but Einecker dived to save Catchpole's spot-kick.

Bungay gradually got into the game, and Ash Ling got in an overhead effort that was headed off the line.

Then Rory French's goal-bound header from Tino Oxborough's cross was headed off the line for a corner, and from a second corner Payne headed over.

Later a lob from Neil Renaut was just too high, and a minute before the interval a low cross from Oxborough was turned goalwards by French with the keeper out of position, but again a defender cleared his lines.

Bungay had the first chance of the second half as Joe McFarlane found Ling and his shot beat the keeper but rolled just wide of the far post.

And when the home side broke well following a Kirkley attack to open the visitors' defence, they failed to take advantage as French dallied too long on the ball.

McFarlane had a header held by the keeper, and it was against the run of play that the visitors took the lead with another quick counter-attack in the 74th minute, as Tacon strode clear to slot the ball past Einecker as he advanced.

Immediately Bungay had a fine chance as McFarlane crossed knee-high, but French's volley from 10 yards was just wide.

Dan Lowe made a good interception to cut out a dangerous situation.

Bungay created another good situation in the closing minutes as Luke Field got into the box, but he was crowded out by a massed defence.

Team: N Einecker, C Hunting, S Payne, P Bullen, J McFarlane, N Renaut, L Field (A Baynes), D Lowe, T Oxborough, R French, A Ling.

Tomorrow, Bungay entertain Long Stratton in their final home game of the season (2.30).