GOATACRE skipper Ed Wilkins has set his sights on a league consolation after conceding that his side had snatched defeat from the jaws of victory as their National Village Cup hopes ended on Sunday.

The villagers, champions in 1988 and 1990 as well as semi finalists last year, went down to a five-run defeat at Welsh side Miskin Manor as they were bowled out for 196 chasing a target of 202 set by the home side in the last 16 clash.

Wilkins, who scored 73 and shared a partnership of 73 with Toby Horton (32), admitted: "We should have won the game. We got ourselves in a good position and should have seen it through.

"They are pressure games and little things can turn it the other way but we're disappointed.

"At drinks after 20 overs they (Manor) were 100-1 so for us to keep them to 201 all out - we were really happy with that.

"Rob Murphy took a good hat-trick in their last over and, at five an over it should have been there for us. We gave ourselves a chance but we threw it away a little bit.''

Wilkins added: "We're in good position in the league (Premier Two Glos/Wilts), within 10 points of the top and hopefully we can really go for it and get promoted now.''

Manor, having won the toss and elected to bat, started well, putting on 95 for the opening wicket.

But led by Matt House and then a superb last-over hat-trick from Rob Murphy, Goatacre fought their way back into it to end their opponents' innings with a ball to spare, Carl Whiteley scoring 82 for Manor.

The Wiltshire men lost Haines for four early on, but skipper Ed Wilkins hit a half-century in 46 balls and was eventually stumped for 73 after sharing a fine partnership with Toby Horton (32).

Goatacre continued to progress towards their target, but wickets fell steadily and they were halted with seven balls remaining and only six runs required.