Corinthian-Casuals suffered yet more playoff final heartbreak as they crashed out on penalties to Walton Casuals, but still could find themselves promoted regardless.

Saturday’s loss looked to have condemned James Bracken’s side to runners-up for the second year in succession.

However, Thurrock’s resignation from the league above opened another promotion spot which the FA have decreed will be awarded to the losing finalist with the highest average points-per-game throughout the regular season.

And whilst Casuals didn’t look to be in the running for the extra spot, results across the country were favourable to the Kingston-upon –Thames based outfit.

With Haringey Borough’s 3-1 win over Canvey Island on Sunday and Hartley Wintney’s 1-0 win against Cambridge City on Bank Holiday Monday, Casuals are left as the highest placed losing finalist.

The placing is expected to be confirmed by the FA over the coming week.

Of course, Casuals looked to seal promotion in front of a capacity crowd at King George’s Arena on Saturday.

Despite good efforts from strikers Gabriel Odunaike and Harry Ottaway along with a disallowed goal by Josh Uzun, the tie went to penalties for a second year.

With Odunaike blazing his spot kick over, it was left to defender Frazer Walker needing to score – Walton’s Denzel Gerrar saving to ensure his side won 4-2 and promotion, likely to the Southern League Premier along with it.

But thanks to the convoluted process of awarding an extra promotion spot, often needing calculations worthy of an A-level in Mathematics, it was left to Haringey Borough and Hartley Wintney to give Casuals their highest league achievement in their history.