WIMBORNE Town are on the verge of winning an unexpected promotion – despite fearing their chances of going up had been scuppered after losing a play-off final.

The Magpies suffered penalty shootout heartbreak at the hands of Swindon Supermarine in May, initially ending their hopes of climbing the ladder in the Southern League.

However, despite being resigned to another season at step four of the non-league pyramid, the Cuthbury outfit looks set to be elevated to a newly-formed Southern League South at step three.

The prospective promotion has come about after the Football Association were notified today by Barnsley-based Shaw Lane AFC that they are to withdraw from the Northern League Premier Division.

A statement on the Northern Premier League website read: "The Northern Premier League has today received notice from Shaw Lane AFC of their withdrawal from the league.

"Sadly, the email on Friday 8 June 2018 advises that the club is to disband.

"The Evo-Stik League is currently liaising with the Football Association from whom a further announcement will be made in due course regarding club movements within the National League system as a result of the withdrawal of Shaw Lane AFC.

"The league will not be making any further statement on the matter until further notice."

As a result of Shaw Lane AFC's withdrawal, it is believed Wimborne Town were offered promotion, which, the Daily Echo understands, club officials have accepted.

The decision is subject to ratification by the FA, as are a number of other possible moves for Banbury United, Hednesford Town, FC Romania and Fleet Town.

Should Wimborne's promotion be rubber-stamped, they would join Dorset rivals Poole, Dorchester and Weymouth in Southern League South – the first time in history all four clubs have been in the same division.