BROMSGROVE RFC fell out of title contention after the Boars slipped to a narrow 27-22 defeat against lowly Lichfield having played the majority of the game with 14-men.
The Boars were without several regular starters before their task was made even more difficult when loosehead prop Finn Haynes was harshly dismissed midway through the first half.
Rich Hance crossed twice for Bromsgrove with Tom Sadler also touching down as Will Tanner added seven points from the kicking tee at Finstall Park.
And the defeat means the Boars have dropped to fourth in the Regional 1 Midlands table with just three matches left to play this season.
Lichfield scored the game’s first try as Bromsgrove were punished for a poor kick before the Boars were then reduced to 14 players as Hayes was sent off for a tip tackle.
And the visitors increased their lead to 12 points with a second try from a lineout before Hance responded with Bromsgrove’s first try, converted by Tanner, just before the half-hour mark.
The home side reduced the deficit to two points at the break as Tanner kicked a penalty on the stroke of half time.
However, Lichfield scored a converted try early in the second half as they pounced on a loose ball before Hance scored his second of the game following a lineout with the visitors temporarily reduced to 14-men.
And Bromsgrove completed an unlikely turnaround just past the hour mark when Sadler scored in the corner and Tanner landed the conversion from out wide.
Lichfield reclaimed the lead with their fourth try and kicked a late penalty to increase their advantage as the Boars were forced to settle for a losing bonus point.
Bromsgrove are next in action away at Broadstreet on Saturday, February 25 with kick-off at 2.15pm at Rugby Road.
