Two late goals saw Kings Langley end their remarkable season with a defeat as the battle of the Southern League regional division champions ended in a 2-0 victory for Cinderford Town on Saturday.

The influential Sammie Hicks grabbed an 87th-minute opener for the Forest of Dean South side and the Division One South and West winners sealed victory through an Ethan Moore penalty as Paul Hughes and Ritchie Hanlon’s men suffered just a second loss in their last 20 league and cup outings.

Both teams probed earnestly in the first half, with Kings’ David Hutton to the fore. The introduction of Steve Ward, for the Division One Central champions who had won the title at Petersfield Town the previous weekend, and Hicks for John Brough’s side gave both teams more potency.

Ward soon set up leading scorer Mitchell Weiss, but his fierce volley was cleared off the line.

In the 65th minute, Weiss, who had enjoyed an ongoing battle with Cinderford centre back Nick Rhodes in a tussle where honours were even, had one opportunity that Rhodes managed to block with the ball about to cross the goalline. However, Rhodes took no further part in the match, such was the ferocity of Weiss’ shot.

Five minutes later, Ward embarked on a mazy dribble into the box that was thwarted by Cinderford’s Kyle Knott. There were loud appeals for a penalty but the referee waved these away.

Ward then set up Hutton, but the skilful midfielder headed just wide.

Hicks was causing no end of problems for Kings and it was the diminutive forward who finally broke the deadlock in the 87th minute, jinking through the visitors’ defence to fire low into the right-hand corner.

As Kings pressed hard for the equalizer, it was Hicks again to the fore as he drew a foul in the box and Moore confidently dispatched the penalty to seal victory for the hosts.

Earlier, Cinderford had battled away, but could make little headway against a resolute Kings defence.

Both keepers dealt confidently with such threats that there were on goal and as the game drew to a close it had looked likely that penalties would be the deciding factor until Cinderford’s late show.

Kings may have been beaten but they can now reflect on another triumphant campaign that ended with a third consecutive promotion and the new challenges ahead.