Bourne Town are beaten by Heanor Town in the United Counties League

Bourne Town booked their place in the play-offs despite a disappointing day at the office as the Wakes were beaten at Heanor Town on Saturday.

Michael Goode's side went down to a 2-1 away reversal as Heanor completed a United Counties League double over Bourne.

However, results elsewhere means the Wakes are guaranteed a top five finish in their first season in the Premier Division North after last season's title-winning campaign.

Manager Goode said: "We're a club that has come up from Division One and we've got a very talented group of players who have got us into the play-offs which is probably the primary aim of nearly every club at the start of the season.

"It is a good achievement to do that with three games remaining but you don't win anything by getting into the play-offs.

"It has given us something to play for beyond the end of the normal season and, although we're still going to chase down the top two, we now want to consolidate that third place and, if we can, get second and then see what happens.

"We've got to make sure that we focus on winning those last three games to get a bit of form because we're on an alright run at the moment."

Bourne fell behind after just four minutes of Saturday's match at the Town Ground as Mason Booth-Davis flicked the ball onto Jamie Sleigh who smashed home the opening goal.

The Heanor goalscorer was then denied a second goal by a superb save from Bourne goalkeeper Dan Swan in a one-on-one before the Wakes had an effort disallowed for offside.

The returning Zac Allen had an effort deflected home by Aaron Eyett who was adjudged to have been in an offside position by the assistant referee.

The hosts then doubled their lead in the 25th minute as John King raced away before beating a defender and slotting home.

Brad Marshall and Robbie Ellis both went close to reducing the deficit for Bourne while Sleigh struck the upright for the hosts on the stroke of half-time.

Allen and Eunis Lievins threatened for Bourne after the interval while Jack Tyson also went close for Heanor on a couple of occasions.

The Wakes cut the deficit with 15 minutes remaining as substitute Kyle Rowell picked out fellow replacement Tom Siddons with a pinpoint cross which was headed home.

However, that was to prove to be Bourne's last clear-cut opening as Heanor saw out the rest of the game to tighten their grip on the final play-off spot.

Goode added: "We didn't start very well and last week's draw against Gresley felt a bit like a punch in the stomach although training was good in the week and spirits were high.

"Heanor is a really difficult place to go with the massive slope and they're a good side and we were not at our best.

"The conditions didn't help but it was a disappointing day at the office. They were just a bit better at doing the things that you need to do on their ground. They played the game well."

The defeat leaves Bourne in third spot, five points behind league leaders Lincoln United and three adrift of second-placed Eastwood CFC.

The top two face each other on Saturday while Bourne have a home match against eighth-placed Belper United.