A spirited display was not enough to keep alive Market Rasen & Louth's title hopes after they were narrowly defeated 23-17 at league leaders Coalville on Saturday.

Rasen coach Simon Green had admitted prior to the game that anything less than a victory against the Leicestershire hosts would effectively eliminate the Red & Greens from the championship race and this loss means the best they can hope for is second place and a promotion play-off.

The celebrations following the final whistle from Coalville simply confirmed the view of Green that the margin between success and failure for his side was extremely thin – and that this result, although a loss, was a valuable learning experience for his improving side.

"It was a game where the guys worked really hard and they were unlucky not to pinch it," said Green.

"I always believed Coalville were going to win the league because they had better squad depth, and they also have more nous in their offensive play.

"What pleased me is that the guys played for the whole 90 minutes. In previous games, such as Spalding, they would switch off for 15 minutes, normally in the second half, but this time they were alert for the entire match.

"It's a great learning experience for the players and the situation has not changed much – we still need to win all of our four remaining games to take second spot because I don't think Spalding will drop any points.

"There were a number of good performances, particularly in the forwards. I couldn't pick out anyone because they all played so well.

"Paul Cook, at centre, was also outstanding, he defended really well.

"The positive aspect for me is that the signs are looking really good for next year, in whatever division we play."

A see-saw first half ended 17-17 with both teams exchanging the lead several times.

The hosts opened the scoring through a penalty kick, converted by their fly-half.

Coalville continued their attacking policy, but a thunderous tackle by centre Cook in midfield dislodged the ball and the Rasen pack pounced on the mistake to surge up field.

After a series of drives, the ball was moved to skipper Dean Hutchinson, finding himself in his old position of wing, to crash over the line.

But the hosts hit back when, from a line out which the referee failed to call as not straight, the ball was eventually worked to Coalville's winger who ran in unopposed.

The fly-half added the conversion.

Within three minutes Cook made an incisive run to score close to the posts and leave himself an easy conversion for the extra points.

Coalville replied when their full-back fed the winger for another classy try, again converted by the fly-half.

Undeterred, Rasen continued to use the forwards before Coalville capitulated to concede a penalty, which was drilled into touch close by the home try line. The Rasen line-out made a catch and drive to force Leigh Dearden over the line, to bring the scores level for 17-17 at half-time.

The second half did not live up to the first and an early misdemeanour from flanker Ben Chamberlin gave him a 10-minute rest in the sin bin and the Coalville fly half slotted the penalty kick.

Then, the home full-back scored a drop goal from 40 metres to extend the home side's lead. Despite their best efforts, Rasen could not respond and Coalville's joy – and relief – at the final whistle was evident.

MARKET RASEN & LOUTH: Cole, Oliver, Wootton, Mitchell, Dearden L, Chamberlin, Starling, Hutchinson, Neesham A, John, Dearden A, Cook, Bemrose, Green, Neesham M

SUBS: Thornes (used), Barnard and Nicholls (not used)