The OHAFC 3rd XI were cruelly denied a fairytale ending to their fine season when a last-minute goal saw the Old Columbans snatch the Division Five title at Merchant Taylor's School on Saturday.

Both sides had finished top of their regional divisions with identical records, the OHAFC winning Div 5 South and Columbans triumphing in Div 5 North with 10 wins and a draw from twelve League games.

Saturday's clash, played on the immaculate main pitch that hosted last weekend's equally dramatic Arthur Dunn Cup Final (Charterhouse beat Tonbridge on penalties following a last-minute equaliser in normal time), was to determine the overall Division Five champions and League Match Secretary Matt Barry was on hand to present the silverware to the eventual winners.

Disappointingly, despite the pristine pitch and easing rain, the game turned out to be a scrappy, fractious affair with experienced referee Adam Knight continually forced to intervene as both sides squared up to each other.

Columbans took the lead on the half-hour when a cross from their right eluded the Barrett brothers in the middle and was turned in at the far post by the unmarked Columbans striker. Indeed, the Blues were fortunate not to have already conceded a penalty when keeper Chuka Ilogu looked to have taken out a Columban inside the box but the referee remained unmoved.

A physical, well-organised side, Columbans remained untested in the first half, but ten minutes after the break the sides were level and OHAFC leading scorer Alex Smith was once more the man to do the damage. Substitute Alex Breeden fed Tommy Faber in midfield and as he was tackled the ball ran loose to Smith on the edge of the box. After a brief scrap, Harry Bick collected possession before teeing up his strike partner on the edge of the box, Smith's shot taking a slight deflection off a defender's boot as it rose into the roof of the net.

Both sides pressed on in search of a winner but both goalkeepers remained untroubled as referee Adam Knight found himself involved on an ever-increasing basis. At one stage he was forced to halt play as several players from both sides squared up inside the Columbans' half. After a stern lecture to several players, the game resumed.

There was one nervy moment in the Harrow box when Ilogu raced off his line to foil an attack only for the ball to run loose. Fortunately, as a Columban prepared to shoot with the 'keeper strander, Oscar Gairard slid in from behind and did just enough to put the attacker off.

Fittingly, given the two sides' excellent run of form this season, a dramatic finale awaited. With ten minutes remaining, the OHAFC looked to have a stonewall penalty claim when Smith was barged into from behind just inside the box. Referee Knight immediately waved away the appeals, much to the astonishment, it must be said, of those watching from the side.

And the decision took on greater significance with the ninety minutes almost up as Columbans broke down their left. The ball was squared across the box and a late run allowed a midfielder to sweep the ball past Ilogu, sending the Columbans wild with delight.

There was still time for one final twist as left winger Tommy Faber had a glorious chance to level the scores with the last kick of the game. Played through down the middle, Faber just had the 'keeper to beat to force extra-time but saw his shot brilliantly saved as the Columban goalie dived to his right to turn the ball past the post. The final whistle blew straight away.

It was a cruel way to end the season for Nick Kapoor and his men, although the lack of a cup to show for their efforts will ultimately mean little come the start of next season and Division Four football.

The two teams will, of course, play each other home and away in their new division in 2018/19 and both games are bound to prove highly-competitive after this fractious encounter.

A full report of the 3s season will appear on ohafc.com shortly. Congratulations to the whole squad for their efforts over the past eight months.