LITTLE Oakley suffered a heart-breaking defeat in tonight’s Essex Premier Cup final against Frenford Senior.

The Acorns were beaten 4-1 by their Essex Olympian League opponents, at Thurrock’s Ship Lane ground.

The Tendring side, jointly-managed by Paul Sadler and Sean Tynan, had enjoyed a heroic run to the showpiece final, seeing off Barnston, Herongate Athletic, Shenfield Association, White Ensign and Springfield.

And they took the lead in tonight’s tie, thanks to a well-taken second-half strike from Rory Harmon.

However, the dream ended there as Frenford fought back with a quick equaliser, followed by further goals in the 70th, 80th and 87th minutes.

Essex and Suffolk Border League side Oakley kept battling and never let their heads drop – but they were left with too big a mountain to climb.

After been on top in the first half – Shaun Kioussis went especially close with a scorching 30-yard effort that flashed just over the bar – the Acorns took the lead in the 52nd minute.

Harmon slotted home with a precise finish from the edge of the box, after a slick right-wing move.

Sadly, however, it was a lead that only lasted four minutes.

Frenford won a corner and Luke Woodward rose highest to nod past Acorns keeper Luke Tynan.

It was only the third goal Oakley had conceded in the competition, having only been breached twice in their previous five matches, by Herongate and White Ensign.

Oakley were forced on to the back foot and it wasn’t long before Frenford took the lead through Damon O’Neill.

The substitute hooked the ball from close range, after another corner.

It got worse for Oakley ten minutes later, when Nick Hughes finished off a sweeping move which started down the right-hand side.

And Hughes scored again in the latter stages, converting from close range.

Oakley starting XI: Tynan, S Kioussis, Dobkin, Hammond, Wood, Duly, Harmon, Polley, Eldridge, Lewis, Palmer.