However, events elsewhere, most notably closest challengers Royton Town’s home loss to Walshaw, meant Heys ended the day nearer the title than when they started.

Jon Lyons team remain three points clear at the top, with three games in hand and now require seven points from their last six games to clinch the title.

However, they will need to recover quickly from this defeat if they are to realise those ambitions.

For seventy minutes Heys could be satisfied with their performance as they led 2-1, but an alarming collapse on the back of some poor defence saw the hosts storm back to ultimately run out worthy winners.

Springhead boast one of the best home records in the League, having lost just once at home this season and they immediately made life uncomfortable for Heys going ahead in the 6th minute.

Ryan Fagan burst down the right and whipped in a low cross that was swept home by Matty Russell.

On a difficult pitch Heys began to gain some momentum. Lee Bruce fired wide at the near post from a George Powell corner and then the latter completed a good spell of pressure by shooting wide.

The hosts remained a threat on attack and a timely interception by Jake Wood kept out Leighton Stephenson before the former had to leave the field with an ankle injury to force a Heys reshuffle.

Paul Tierney replaced Wood with Shaun Johnson moving into the back four. The changes though did not dim Heys momentum and they pulled level in the 43rd minute.

Good work by Tierney played Powell into the box but as the full back looked to shoot he was bundled over for a penalty which he took and planted firmly into the back of the net.

The threat Springhead posed on attack though remained apparent and on the stroke of half time only the crossbar prevented Stephenson from putting the home side in front.

Heys opened the second half in lively fashion to force the hosts back and were rewarded with the lead in the 48th minute.

A corner from Danny White caused problems in the home defence. As the ball broke loose Johnson rifled in a shot that took a deflection before going in off the post.

When Tierney headed over from another corner shortly after Heys were looking on course to add to their lead.

There was a real scare when Leighton Stephenson broke clear for the hosts and appeared to be impeded by Heys stopper Rob Sadler.

Indeed, the referee gave a foul but produced the yellow card when many expected a red for him being the last man.

Nonetheless, Heys were looking quite comfortable at this point. Home ‘keeper Kristian Jentress had to stretch to keep out a Greg Wills header and Tierney fired into the side netting.

However, with twenty minutes remaining it all began to unravel. John Blackley needlessly conceded possession and with Heys exposed Kion Pryce broke down the left and crossed for Stephenson to slot home from close range.

Suddenly, the momentum was firmly with the home side and in the 82nd minute they went ahead. Again, Heys were wide open at the back and again Pryce crossed and Stephenson tapped in from six yards.

Remarkably, three minutes later Springhead scored again, in identical fashion. Another low cross saw Heys again all at sea and this time Nathan Eastmond finished from close in.

In complete disarray, the hosts had the ball in the net again in the last minute but the linesman’s flag saved Heys blushes.

When Johnson ended the game in a heap, with a nasty looking ankle injury Heys misery was complete but at the end of a disappointing afternoon they could reflect that their destiny remains firmly in their own hands.