HALES had good cause to feel hard done by after having the better of exchanges for most of this match but eventually slipping to a 26-24 defeat at home to promotion hopefuls Nuneaton in National League 3 Midlands.

But Nuns snatched victory with virtually the last kick of the match.

Full back Chris Hooper converted two of the first half tries while Nuns only response was a penalty from the boot of fly half Joe Wilson as Hales held a commanding 19-3 lead by half time.

Nuns cut the deficit to make the score 19-13 but 14-man Hales engineered a fourth try following a textbook catch and drive from a lineout where flanker Tom Jordan forced his way over the line.

But danger resurfaced on 67 minutes whenNuns got a second penalty try, which Wilson improved on to make it 24-20.

Further Hales pressure proved to no avail and it was the accurate boot of Wilson who eventually sealed victory after Nuns were awarded two more penalties - much to the home crowd’s dismay.