Kenni Thompson and her fellow Bournemouth team-mates came up short in their title and promotion decider away to Exeter City Ladies at Exwick Sports Hub.

The visitors had to win the season finale to overhaul Women’s National League Division One South leaders Exeter for the title and sole promotion spot up for grabs having trailed their hosts by two points heading into the crunch match.

However, it was a task which ultimately proved beyond their reach as a 1-1 stalemate was enough for Exeter to gain promotion in front of their own supporters.

It all looked promising for Bournemouth, who led 1-0 at the interval courtesy of forward Gemma McGuinness’s 24th-minute strike, before substitute Zoe Cunningham and grabbed the important equaliser in the 58th minute.

Bournemouth went close to regaining the lead in the dying moments of an evenly fought contest when midfielder Molly Barron-Clark’s free kick struck the woodwork after winger Thompson was brought down in a dangerous area.

But it ultimately wasn’t to be the visiting side’s day as they were unable to come away with the maximum points required to get them safely across the line.

Bournemouth finished runners-up behind Exeter with 19 wins, three draws and no losses to their credit, scoring 104 goals and conceding 13.

In contrast, Keziah Martin’s Boston United clinched promotion to the Vanarama National League after coming from behind to edge hosts Brackley Town 2-1 in an exciting and evenly fought National League North promotion final on Saturday.

The visitors were forced to chase the match after Morgan Roberts gave the home side the lead at St James Park Brackley in the 34th minute.

But United pressed on and were eventually rewarded when midfielder Keaton Ward, celebrating his 24th birthday, equalised in first-half stoppage time.

Forward Jimmy Knowles then grabbed United’s winner from the penalty spot in the 58th minute to finally put an end to the club’s 14-year wait for promotion to non-League football’s top tier.

Martin, who was not included in United’s matchday squad, joined the East Midlands club from Kidderminster Harriers just over a year ago.