A devastating contentious umpire call has relegated the Whanganui boys to the play-off for 15 and 16th in the Hatch Cup under-13 national hockey tournament in Auckland.
The team lost to Taranaki 4-3 in crossover play on Friday for 13th Place.
Team manager Cindy Hoskin said the boys lost after full time due to an incorrect call from the umpire who had called a goal from a penalty corner shot which went into the net off the first shot.
"Both teams agreed it was not a goal, but the umpires, after a lengthy discussion, called it a goal," Hoskin said.
"The players were devastated as they had played hard."