Wisbech Town manager Dick Creasey says it will take something “drastic” for them to win the league after leaders AFC Rushden and Diamonds denied them at the death on Saturday.

Luke Wilson put the Fenmen in front in the 11th minute of Saturday’s top of the table clash. A historic win looked on the cards but, in the 98th minute, the hosts levelled.

Rushden once again found themselves trailing at half time last night at AFC Kempston Rovers, but rallied to win 2-1.

The gap between the two teams at the top of the United Counties League is seven points, with games rapidly running out to claw back the deficit (Wisbech have five games left, Rushden have four).

Creasey said: “Everybody was hugely disappointed (after Saturday). It felt like a loss.

“Fair play to Rushden, what they did is the sign of a championship winning team. With the seven point gap, they are in the ascendancy. It will take something drastic for them not to win the league.

“But we’ll pick ourselves up and make sure we finish at least second, which would be a massive credit to the players.”

Creasey says, with Wisbech not having a midweek game for the first time in months, he decided to give the players the week off.

He said: “I think it’s the right decision. We’ll done some much travelling, and with work as well, it adds up. The players need time to regroup.”

Wisbech have a busy week ahead of them - they host AFC Kempston Rovers in the league on Saturday, then will be out for revenge when they again travel to Rushden in the semi final of the Knock Out Cup.

The Fenmen will be without Nathan Horne and Stuart Cobb for several weeks through injury, while Luke Wilson misses the Kempston game through suspension.

Creasey said: “We’re not down to the bare bones but we don’t want any more drop-outs.

“Kempston are a good footballing side. We beat them 3-1 earlier this season but they played really well against us. They pushed Rushden but had a man sent off and it was always going to be hard for them after that.”