Harriers’ play-off dream is over
Tuesday 26th April 2011, 8:45AM BST.
Kidderminster Harriers manager Steve Burr believes his side can “hold their heads up high” despite their play-off dream coming to an end.
Burr’s men lost 2-1 at Rushden & Diamonds yesterday, after a winner from former Harriers loanee Ryan Charles a minute into stoppage time.
That, coupled with a one-goal win for Fleetwood over Barrow, ended the play-off chase for the season as the Cod Army and Wrexham joined Luton and AFC Wimbledon in sealing a top five finish.
Harriers could still lose sixth and possibly seventh, as well, if they are beaten by relegated Histon at home on Saturday and York and Darlington pick up wins.
But boss Burr believes there’s every cause for pride at Aggborough after spending most of this year in and around the promotion picture, despite being ranked as outsiders.
And the manager couldn’t help but imagine how different things would have been had the club not been docked five points for financial irregularities in January.
He said: “I don’t want to harp on about the five points, but we went there with a different mindset.
“Not a mindset on not winning the game, but a mindset of if we had a cushion with the points then that means a point would have been good enough.
“The lads can hold their heads up high, they have given everything this season and it’s a pity that we couldn’t give the travelling support the win they were looking for.
“I just feel sorry for the players and supporters because they have given everything and, at the last hurdle, we’ve not reached the play-offs.”
Harriers had looked to have salvaged a point at Nene Park, equalising in the 85th minute through Chris McPhee’s 18th goal of the season.
They still would have needed a mathematical miracle to catch Fleetwood but, alas, it was not to be.
Burr added: “We got back in it as we have all season, at that stage of the game, we knew Fleetwood were winning and it was a case of throwing bodies forward.
“But, obviously, you are going to be vulnerable at the back then.”
UK Sport
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