Seaton Rangers have missed out on a place in the National Conference League for next season.

Indeed no new teams have been accepted this time after Distington and Ellenborough both failed in their applications last year because they did not meet the required criteria.

In a club statement, Seaton said: “We thank the NCL management for taking time to consider our application and we respect their decision. However, this isn’t the end, it’s only the beginning.

“Allerdale is the only heartland of rugby league never to have been represented in the NCL and that remains our goal in line with our club development plan.

“We will continue to work harder and improve as a club focusing on being at the heart of our community and we will be applying again in the 2020 season with a view to being accepted in 2021.

“As a club we are naturally disappointed at the decision, having worked hard over a number of years to ensure that we met every aspect of the criteria laid out.

“We have put time and resources into rugby at all levels.”