WISBECH ladies’ 20-game unbeaten run came to an end on Sunday as they tasted their first defeat of a phenomenal season.

First-half goals from Joey Gomm and Erika Burrell left the 11 brave players who endured the 700-mile round trip to Devon dreaming of the HA Trophy semi-finals.

However, a second-half fightback from Teign, including a winner five minutes from time, dumped Wisbech out of the tournament at the quarter-final stage in the cruelest of fashions.

Captain Natalie Ward said: “At half time we were absolutely buzzing. We played so well and they were all over the place at times.

“They had five subs and we were shattered in the second half but we just didn’t take our chances to win it. It made the whole thing even more devastating.

“At the end we couldn’t believe what had happened. The umpire said there was no way we deserved to lose, which was nice to hear, but it was so heartbreaking to be that close to extra-time.

“We were completely drained and absolutely gutted. Some of the girls were like - so this is what it feels like to lose. We don’t want to feel like that again.”

Despite the defeat the table-topping outfit could still complete a whole season in the East Women’s Hockey League Division One North without tasting defeat.

With just two promotion places up for grab the side are within touching distance of reaching the premier division. They have a seven-point gap over their nearest rivals Cambridge University, who they face tomorrow, and a 13-point gap over third-placed Saffron Walden.

Ward said: “Hopefully the defeat will spur us on and we’re all really up for the trip to Cambridge.

“We always look to win but realistically I’d take a draw. I’d be very surprised if we threw the league away now but we don’t just want to get promoted - we want to win the league.

“Sunday was horrible but we’re all still upbeat because we’re buzzing about what we can still achieve this season. It’d really would be amazing to win the league without losing a game.”