SEAN Doherty admitted his Lancashire Amateur Championships was tinged with disappointed despite a fine second place finish.

The Rossendale golfer carded a final round 68 to climb the leaderboard and secure the runners-up spot three shots behind winner Sean Towndrow (Southport).

But the 33-year-old was left to rue a third round six over par 77 in tricky conditions on the final morning.

“I bogeyed five of the last seven holes and there were a few that got away from me,” said Doherty who plays out of Rossendale Golf Club.

“I actually thought I had played myself a bit more out of it than I had but I managed to get second with a 68 in the afternoon and I was pleased with that round. It was difficult conditions and not many got under 70 all day.

“I am pleased with second but I always want to win.”

Doherty opened with two one under par rounds on Friday and Saturday to leave himself very much in contention but in the end it was Towndrow who prevailed - his victory bookended by rounds of 68 and 67.

And Doherty admitted that Towndrow deserved the success having overcome cancer.

“If there was anyone other than me that was going to win it then I think it would have been Sean,” said the East Lancs ace of the 2017 champion.

“To come back from not playing any golf for 18 months is a great achievement and I am really pleased for him.”

Towndrow, winner in 2010, came from seven shots back in the final 36 holes to claim victory just 18 months since the 26-year-old was diagnosed with a rare form of blood cancer.

And he praised family, friends and the golfing community for all their support throughout his battle against the illness, which still requires regular monitoring to ensure there is no new occurrence.

“There have been some dark days, obviously, but I just cannot believe the support I have had through messages, cards, emails, on social media,” he said. “There was always a new message or encouragement when things were tough and I cannot thank everyone enough for helping me deal with it all as positively as possible.

Clitheroe’s Mark Ashworth went into the competition as reigning champion and despite a valiant effort in the defence of his title he finished 18th at seven over.

Doherty’s Rossendale team-mate Luke Bartram shot the lowest round of the week with a 66 in the third to help him finish 13th on five over while Pleasington’s Rick Shack (+15), Burnley’s Gary Blades (+15) and Chorley’s Jack Wiggans (+17) were also in the top 40.