HARLESTON Magpies Ladies had a chance to pick up a result in their final National League game of the season against Durham University. But, despite playing some of their best attacking hockey for some while, the defence proved very vulnerable to counter-attack and they lost 4-2.

HARLESTON Magpies had a chance to pick up a result in their final National League game of the season against Durham University.

But, despite playing some of their best attacking hockey for some while, the defence proved very vulnerable to counter-attack and they lost 4-2.

Magpies were 1-0 down to a soft tap-in goal in the first half despite having plenty of attacking opportunities but the real action took place in the second half.

Durham increased their lead to go 2-0 up before Angie Wheelhouse pulled a goal back at 2-1.

Wheelhouse was incredibly unlucky to have an equaliser disallowed from a penalty corner.

Durham broke away to increase their lead to 3-1 before Debbie McAllen made it 3-2 from a penalty corner strike.

Wheelhouse was put clean through with the goalkeeper to beat but was again unlucky to see her waist-high shot cleared off the line onto a post.

Once again Durham broke away to make it 4-2 in a game that could have gone either way.