After three years in the top flight, Birkenhead Park ended their Premier League stay on a low as they succumbed to a heavy 172 run home defeat to Ormskirk.

Having lost an alarming 17 out of 21 league games, the hosts were keen to give their supporters something to cheer but they were torn apart by a terrific away performance.

Missing the likes of Mike Barnes, Luke Camden and Jon Crofton, Park handed late opportunities for 2nd team skipper Mark Evans and youngster Adam Roscoe.

Ormskirk got off to a flyer when Andrew Baybutt hit the first two balls of the day for four. However the returning Harry Meehan had him dismissed for 11 via a caught and bowl.

The visitors rallied thanks to a stunning 95 run partnership between Michael Jones (34) and the prolific Josh Bohannon. Chris Foran made the breakthrough by having Jones trapped LBW but Bohannon kept going when he was joined at the crease by young wicket-keeper batsman George Lavelle.

Bohannon's excellent knock of 87 eventually ended when he was bowled by Ravinda Palliyaguruge. In his final appearance for Park, Ravi then claimed the cheap scalp of Matthew Glayzer but Lavelle then brought up a crisp half century to help Ormskirk past 200.

With plenty of overs left in their innings, the visitors continued to pile on the runs as Lavelle produced some devastating shots. The 16 year old finally brought up a well deserved 100 off just 77 balls as Ormskirk declared on a formidable 254 for 5.

For the umpteenth time this season, Park lost early wickets as Nicky Caunce picked up three dismissals in his first over which included ducks for Adam Patel and skipper Chris Davies.

Adam Neal (23) and Chris Bellis (22) helped the hosts slowly recover but Ormskirk's effective bowling attack put paid to any slim hopes of a win as Tom Hartley (3-11), Jamie Barnes and Jack Snowdon all chipped in with the ball.

Park's disastrous season was finally brought to an end when Caunce clean bowled David Nevin to finish up with a five wicket haul as the hosts were all out for a woeful 82.

Yet another disappointing result for Park in what has been one of their poorest campaigns in their long 170 year history. The battle for an instant return to the top flight will be a tough one as proven when they were relegated from the Cheshire County Premier League a decade ago.

However hard work and commitment will be key for the 1st XI as they look to bounce back quickly for the 2017 season.