BUNGAY'S hopes of Anglian Combination Division Two promotion finally died on Tuesday evening as a poor second-half showing condemned them to a 4-1 defeat at East Harling.

The sides were level at half-time, but again Bungay conceded an early second-half goal and from then on there was only one side in it.

In the first minute Harling put a shot well wide and had two more efforts go high and wide before five minutes were on the clock, although Bungay had earned two corner kicks.

Callum Ling had made an impressive start and with 10 minutes gone John Riches had the first effort of note for Bungay, but the home keeper saved comfortably.

East Harling took the lead on 14 minutes when Bray fired home from distance, giving James Shaw little chance.

The visitors replied, forcing three successive corners and Callum Ling fired wide as the Black Dogs pushed on.

Bungay equalised on 22 minutes when James Youngman and Matt James played a one-two inside the right side of the penalty area, and Youngman curled the ball inside the far post.

A minute later Harling headed wide from a corner.

York showed great skill with neat control and a shot on the turn, which was pushed onto the bar by the home keeper.

Ominously, Harling ended the half well on top and Bungay had Steve Batt to thank for a goal line clearance.

The half-time whistle went with Bungay somewhat fortunate to go in level.

Hopes of a better second half were dashed within two minutes, as Sparks rifled home from the corner of the area to restore Harling's lead, and Bungay soon after waved the white flag.

Eight minutes into the half some suicidal defending let Harling in and a cross to the far post saw Aylward head in for 3-1.

James Shaw made a superb save with 11 minutes of the second period played.

Tom Strickland replaced James and Harling brought on all three substitutes within a 10-minute spell with the game won.

Batt was caught in possession on 21 minutes and Chase made it 4-1.

With 12 minutes left Eagle replaced Riches. Quite how Bungay survived until full time without conceding further will remain one of life's mysteries, as a combination of poor finishing and good goalkeeping stopped the hosts running up a cricket score against a dispirited Bungay, who had saved the worst 45 minutes of the season until the end.

• Bungay: J Shaw, S Olley, Nathan Ling, S Batt, Dan Lowe, T York, J Riches (Eagle), Callum Ling, J Youngman, D Andrews, M James (T Strickland).

• Bungay have no game on Saturday but visit Scole next Thursday evening (6.30pm). The away game against Hempnall Reserves, postponed last week, will be played on May 8.