To hear the celebrations from the La Lorraine dressing room at the end of the game tells you something about what this victory meant to them. Dangerous in attack, stoic in defence but wanting the ball more than their esteemed opponents, they probably deserved the victory.

Whilst it wasn't a poor performance from British United, they have played worse and won more convincingly, the downhill run to the end of the season for the Champions elect is always going to be difficult. Statistics would show that United had more possession and more shots than their opponents but sometimes you also need that bit of luck.

Jeremy Dixson's opening finish should have been the prelude to a comfortable victory. But, continued United pressure failed to produce a second goal and a hopeful clearance from the La Lorraine keeper bounced favorably for the home team, and the scores were level minutes before half-time.

Half-time: La Lorraine 1 - 1 BUFC

As they came out for the 2nd half, United knew that they have been in this situation before this season, and the thoughts were that a second goal would kill off the game. This duly came when Willie fired a free-kick into the bottom right corner. United continued to press for a third but what appeared to be a penalty award became a drop-ball. No conventional logic dictated La Lorraine's response to this let-off, outwitted in many areas of the field, only last-ditch defending and heroics from the keeper prevented them trailing further.

Yet this did not allow for the chemistry of the occasion, in which the dubious celebrations from a fine goal line clearance from Mulholland (awarded as a goal by a referee not up with play) were reinforced by the relentless noise of the La Lorraine crowd. With United fading, the unhinged emotion that greeted the La Lorraine winner was memorable.

For United, it hopefully serves as a jolt from the comfort of previous success in the league and stirred unhappy emotions at being relegated when losing to a team who also wanted it more. On another day the score line could have been different. But, when you're on top, everyone is looking to knock you down. The celebrations of La Lorraine should serve as a reminder to United of how good the season could be at the end. After all, despite a disappointing result, the quality of a team can always be seen by its league position.

Final score: La Lorraine 3 - 2 BUFC

Team: Turner, Lees, Martinello, Mulholland, Thomas, Ljung, Swartjes, Haddad, Dixson, Murray, Bajraktari, Cain, Britto, Mcinnes, Reilly
Goals: Swarjes 2
MOM: Willie Swartjes and Gerlad Mcinnes 9 votes each
Booked: Mulholland Martinello
Foul Throw: Lees
Forgot his ID card: Britto!!