Dorking director of rugby Richie Andrews admitted his players were in tears after they lost their National League Three play-off against Exmouth on Saturday.
The Red & Whites, who had missed out on the National League Three London title by one point, travelled down to Devon to face the second placed team in National League Three South West on Saturday, with the winners earning a place in National League Two South.
And Dorking were cruelly denied promotion, losing by a single point, 21-20, with the winning try coming with the last play of the game.
Young Fraser Mosley had given the visitors the lead early on, but while they were pegged back, they led 14-11 at the turnaround thanks to a second try by Harry Watts.
Exmouth got their second try on te board in the second half, but two Steve Munford penalties ensured Dorking led 20-16 going into the final stages.
It was a nervy affair and despite some heroic defending, the home side crashed over for a try at the death to secure an agonising 21-20 victory.
Andrews was shellshocked and naturally devastated at the final whistle, struggling to put into words what he had witnessed.
He said: "You don't like to see 17-stone prop forwards in floods of tears, but they are. They've put their heart and soul into this season and they've done themselves and the club proud.
"We very nearly pulled off something fantastic and to have it taken away like that is unbelievable sad and unfair."
The Red & Whites, who had missed out on the National League Three London title by one point, travelled down to Devon to face the second placed team in National League Three South West on Saturday, with the winners earning a place in National League Two South.
And Dorking were cruelly denied promotion, losing by a single point, 21-20, with the winning try coming with the last play of the game.
Young Fraser Mosley had given the visitors the lead early on, but while they were pegged back, they led 14-11 at the turnaround thanks to a second try by Harry Watts.
Exmouth got their second try on te board in the second half, but two Steve Munford penalties ensured Dorking led 20-16 going into the final stages.
It was a nervy affair and despite some heroic defending, the home side crashed over for a try at the death to secure an agonising 21-20 victory.
Andrews was shellshocked and naturally devastated at the final whistle, struggling to put into words what he had witnessed.
He said: "You don't like to see 17-stone prop forwards in floods of tears, but they are. They've put their heart and soul into this season and they've done themselves and the club proud.
"We very nearly pulled off something fantastic and to have it taken away like that is unbelievable sad and unfair."
