A last-gasp leveller proved costly as AFC Emley were held 1-1 at Shirebrook Town.
Because Cliptone were held goalless at Eccleshill United, Darren Hepworth’s side could have returned to the automatic promotion places in the Toolstation Northern Counties East League First Division.
They led through top scorer Max Leonard, only for sent-off skipper Paul Sykes to concede the last-minute penalty which was converted by Keiron Watson.
The upshot is that Emley, who have three games remaining, remain third, a point behind Clipstone, who have two games in hand.
Leaders Pontefract Collieries, who have one game in hand on Emley, are four points clear of Clipstone.
Meanwhile fourth-placed Hemsworth MW are four points behind Emley with two games in hand on them.
Hemsworth host Pontefract on Tuesday while Emley head to Worsbrough Bridge Athletic on Thursday, when Clipstone host Yorkshire Amateur.
Leonard scored his 17th goal of the season in the 65th minute, cutting in from the left flank and shooting into the top corner.
Emley keeper Jordan Porter got a hand to Watson’s penalty, but couldn’t keep it out of the net.
Hepworth handed starts to a couple of development players, Joe Egemole and Sam Scrivens, who formed a solid partnership with Josh Ingham on the right.
Emley almost took an early lead as a Michael Tunnacliffe free-kick caused confusion in the Shirebrook penalty area.
Sam Jerome got the ball to the feet of Steven Kenworthy, but his effort hit the side-netting.
The first half produced few clear-cut chances, and Porter’s first meaningful save was just before the break.
Liam Morris struck a first-time volley from outside the area which the former Town youngster tipped over the bar.
The second half produced more goalmouth action, with Leonard cutting in and shooting over before Matt Sykes brought a good save from Porter.
Scrivens showed the travelling Emley support glimpses of his talent when he burst down the left before putting in a teasing cross which was just out of Doran Jordan’s reach.
After Leonard scored, Porter saved as a Morris free-kick deflected off the head of Ryan Brook.
Morris had a shot and a header saved before Sykes, who was playing in midfield rather than at centre-back, was sent off after the penalty concession.
