Kingston AC & Polytechnic Harriers’ final day British Athletics League Division Two trip to Nottingham proved a step too far on Saturday.

Team boss Chris Hall’s men headed to the Midlands knowing if they finished the match ahead of second-placed Swansea Harriers they would be promoted to Division One.

But Kingston secured only one A string event win – through 3,000m steeplechaser Daniel Eckersley – as they finished the match seventh with 251 points – 22.5 points adrift of Swansea in third.

Cardiff AAC claimed the league title with the match win, while Kingston finished third in the final standings of an otherwise successful campaign.

The pre-season target had been to avoid relegation, but the end of the season leaves them ranked as the 19th best men’s team in the country.

Kingston’s men and women host their final Southern Athletics League Division Two West meeting of the summer on August 20 with a slim chance of a top two finish.