In a do-or-die Ridgeons League Premier Division title-decider on Saturday, the Reds surrendered the championship to season-long rivals Soham Town following a lacklustre 4-0 defeat at Julius Martin Lane.

However, the club is clinging on to the lingering hope that both they and the champions will be promoted to Step Ffour in the pyramid when the FA assess the applications of all non-league promotion-hopefuls around the country.

A decision is expected to be announced at Soho Square towards the end of next week.

Team manager Danny Laws said, "We will just have to wait and see now. Both us and Soham applied to go up very early in the season and, from our point of view, we have to hope a second-place league finish is good enough.

"But, I have to stress that after a long, hard campaign, I firmly believe that both clubs should be given the green light to move up the football ladder."

A number of factors will be considered in the FA's decision, including final league placings, ground facilities and the geography of each club looking for promotion.

One thing that is certain, is Soham's weekend triumph will see them given priority if only one Ridgeons League Club is accepted.

While it remains a long-shot, Laws is adament his side would cope with life at Step Four, be it in the Ryman League or British Gas Midlands structure.

"There is no doubt in my mind that we are good enough," said the Bloomfields chief. "We just have got to keep our fingers crossed and hope the FA agree."

Despite narrowly missing out on the coveted league crown, Needham did gain the consolation of lifting the Ridgeons League Challenge Cup for the first time in its history on Monday.

Typical of their record-breaking season, the Reds had to fight back from a goal down to eventually defeat Division One outfit Gorleston.

The cup will now take its place in the club's trophy cabinet alongside the Suffolk Premier Cup won at Portman Road last month.

"There have been many highs and some real lows this season, but you cannot argue against what has been the club's most successful season ever," said Laws. "If, in August, somebody had offered me two cups, an FA Vase semi-final run and runners-up spot in the league, I would certainly have taken it.

"A huge amount of credit has to go to the players, the supporters and chairman David Bugg.

"All have been superb throughout an action-packed season and their immense efforts have really pushed this club forward."

Meanwhile, top goalscorer Craig Parker – who underwent surgery on his damaged knee ligaments on Friday – has committed himself to the club for next season.