CREWE and Nantwich RUFC suffered another league setback with a 20-18 defeat at struggling Ormskirk.

Promotion looks well beyond Matt Farr's side on this form as the hosts clinched their first victory, last Saturday.

Things had looked promising after hard work restricted their opponents to a slender three-point lead at the break despite wind-assisted conditions.

However it all looked in vain when Ormskirk quickly extended that lead to nine in a flying start to the second half.

Crewe stuck to their task and managed to get their noses in front with only minutes to go only for disaster to strike at the death.

Ormskirk swept upfield from their own 25 line and broke through a flimsy defence to score between the posts, making the conversion a mere formality.

Crewe almost snatched back victory in stoppage time when Tom Maguire attempted a long-range drop-kick but the ball rebounded off the post to make it a miserable afternoon.

Heads down walking off the pitch, Crewe were left to rue some horrendous mistakes along with a contentious decision to rule out Danny Lynch's try for a double movement when crossing the line.

Mark Bennett and Farr's stood while Maguire added two penalties and a conversion.

Crewe's second league loss sees them drop to a disappointing sixth in South Lancs/Cheshire Division Two.

They entertain Orrell Anvils on Saturday, KO 3pm.

The seconds lost 25-12 at Stockport last Saturday while the thirds won 43-0 at home to Village Spartans and the forth team went down 28-15 at Port Sunlight.