WITH the Belvedere out of action the Duke of Albany threw away a glorious opportunity to go top of the Premiership on goal difference when they were held to a 1-1 draw by the Railway Tavern at Budmouth.

And the Duke, who triumphed 4-1 over title favourites and leaders the Belve the previous weekend, may well have missed their chance to pip their arch rivals to glory as they now trail second-placed Britannia by a point with two games remaining.

With Russell North missing, Sean Zima was pushed into attack and the make-shift striker should have netted after just thee minutes when sent clear by player-boss Luke Tomlin.

However, Zima smashed wide instead of trying to place his effort and then Danny Andrews was guilty of a lack of composure moments later – shooting wide from just eight yards out.

Chances came thick and fast for the Albany but time after time they failed to test the Railway keeper and it was obvious they were missing North’s ability to finish.

After Andrews had squandered another chance the Taverners then stunned the Duke with a goal against the run of play.

Chris Legg’s long punt found Paul Kyte who, having beat offside, got to the ball ahead of Clinton Coltart before rounding the keeper and finding the bottom corner.

Frustration crept in and Duke heads went down as an Andrews header flew wide before the break and it was a similar story in the second period as Tomlin, Zima and Andrews all spurned further opportunities.

Indeed the Albany’s first shot on target did not arrive until the 74th minute when keeper Dave Smith superbly parried away Andrews’ half-volley. But the blushes were only spared in the 89th minute when Josh Burton headed home Tomlin’s corner to secure a point.

Meanwhile, also at Budmouth, the Lugger instantly avenged their narrow 2-1 defeat at the hands of the George the previous week with an emphatic 4-1 success over the islanders.

Despite missing seven players at short notice Martin Roberts put the hosts ahead after just 30 seconds and the Chickerellers further stamped their authority on the contest when Matt Croxson converted from the spot after a foul on Richard Marshallsay whose 25-yarder made it 3-0 at the break.

Early in the second half a pin-point cross from Matt Williams was volleyed home by skipper Liam Weeks before the George finally found a way past an outstanding Ashley Weeks for a consolation.

Elsewhere at the Marsh, the Chapelhay recovered from their shock 2-1 reverse at the hands of Clean Connections to finally wrap up the Championship title with a 3-1 victory over the Market House.

Les Lewis got the Taverners off to a flying start before further strikes from Arron Ablom and Derek Puckett saw off the House who found a consolation through Joffy Clark.

Galaxy Windows moved into second spot as they rounded off their first season in style with a 5-0 humbling of Colin Judge’s Rock to seal promotion.

The Portlanders were in control right from the off and with just four minutes on the clock Rock old boy Nick Brooks slipped past the onrushing keeper for the opener.

In the 13th minute Galaxy’s domination saw Marc Clarke lob home for his first of the season and then straight from the restart Sanchez Baker sent Bobby Jones through to net.

In the second period Baker, who was proving to be the difference in the sides, centred for Jones to loop a header home and late on Matt Bird’s fine individual goal completed the scoring.

RESULTS Weymouth Sunday League Premiership: AFC Black Dog 1 Rodwell 8, Duke of Albany 1 Railway Tavern 1, Lugger 4 George, Portland 1.

Championship: Dorothy 5 Old Castle 1, Galaxy Windows 5 Rock 0, Market House 1 Chapelhay 3, Queen Park Venue 4 Alex 1, Southill 4 Golden Lion 3.

TONIGHT’S FIXTURES (all 6.30 pm): Len Mahoney Cup (all Marsh): Queens Park Venue v Duke of Albany, Rodwell v Britannia, Southill v George, Dorchester.