Chester Gladiators’ hopes of a top-four finish are in the balance after a 23-16 loss at Crosfields in North West Men’s League Division Four.

Gladiators will reflect on this as a missed opportunity and could have won the game with a little more composure in attack and better organisation in defence.

Craig Jones, Mark Kingsley and Chris Pape, in his last game before returning home to Hull, crossed for tries and Pape, who has been a fine servant to the club, added two conversions.

But the Warrington side kept themselves in front on the scoreboard and will secure fourth spot with two more wins.

Prop forward Chris Young was named as man of the match for Chester, who have one game remaining with a trip to Eccles to face East Manchester Rangers on Thursday, September 18.