A HEART-BREAKING winner from Reading's Andy Todd saw Old Loughtonians' season finish on a low note with defeat in the English Hockey Association Cup Final.
It was third time unlucky for the Chigwell side who had reached the final twice before but never won the cup.
They fought back from 2-0 down to level at 2-2 but Reading snatched victory with a winner 18 minutes from the end to gain a passport to next season's European Cup Winners Cup.
Skipper Nick Thompson said: 'The team really felt that we were going to do it this time so it was a real disappointment to lose in the final.
'We had a very poor first half. I think some of the less-experienced younger players had a bit of stage fright and it took them half a game to get used to it.
'Then we showed what we can do in the second half to come back to 2-2 and Reading began to crack. At that stage we looked like the only team capable of winning but we just lost concentration for a few seconds and that was it.
'We knew Reading would be strong, they are a top side, but it's a shame we only played for half the game.'
Loughts travelled to the National Hockey Stadium in Milton Keynes on Saturday to face local rivals Southgate in the semi-finals and produced a fine show to win 6-3.
Gate got off to a flying start with a goal in the first 60 seconds but Loughts hit back with three goals in the space of three minutes soon after and never looked back.
In the final, Reading were cruising at half time as Ken Robinson scored from a penalty corner before Mark Pearson flicked home.
The Essex side launched their comeback after the break with a magnificent reverse effort from Smith which flew into the roof of the net. Two minutes later the Reading defence was pulled apart to leave Aussie Steve Carter an open goal to level.
But Todd's goal proved the winner as Loughts' numerous attempts to level again from short corners were repelled.
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