Kidderminster Harriers, Hednesford Town and Halesowen Town to face play-offs with Sporting Khalsa relegated - round-up

Hednesford Town and Halesowen Town were left in contrasting moods after the final day of action as both gear up for play-off action this week.

The ambitious Pitmen fell short in their bid to secure the Northern Premier Division title on a dramatic day of action with a 3-3 draw at home to Ashton United not enough as the crown went to the north east and rivals Hebburn Town.

Hednesford lock horns with another side from that region, Stockton Town, after the Teesside outfit made a late push to claim the final play-off spot. The one-legged semi-final is at Keys Park on Tuesday night (7.45pm).

Kelvin Davis’ Hednesford and Hebburn went into the final day on identical points, but the Pitmen’s goal difference was five points inferior and required an overturn.

Hebburn completed their part of the bargain with a comfortable 2-0 victory over Rushall Olympic, whose status had already been secured after a trying debut campaign in the Northern Premier.

Hebburn netted after half hour and just after half-time on Tyneside to leave the Pitmen up against it at Keys Park.

A sell-out crowd saw Hednesford lead early through Montel Gibson but fall to a 3-1 half-time deficit to mid-table visitors Ashton.

Davis’ side produced a late fightback to earn a point through Joe Doyle-Charles, with 18 minutes left, and George Williams in stoppage time. But it was not enough in front of more than 4,000 fans.

If Hednesford prevail on Tuesday it could lead to a final against FC United of Manchester and a repeat of the iconic Pitmen play-off success against the same opponents in 2013.

Rushall, meanwhile, finished 16th, five points clear of the drop.

Kidderminster Harriers knew their National League North of third was already sealed, and rounded off the regular season with a 1-0 win over second-placed South Shields thanks to Ryley Reynolds’ winner.

Harriers could go on to face Shields in a final but first face a semi-final next weekend, after the midweek eliminators.

Halesowen Town roared into the final play-off spot in Southern Central Premier with a 5-0 demolition of relegated bottom side AFC Sudbury.

Russ Penn’s men leapt above Needham Market, who surprisingly lost at home to mid-table Banbury.

Jordan Ponticelli netted twice for the Yeltz after Fin Holmes’ early opener. Top scorer Jason Cowley bagged his 31st league goal of the season and Jak Hickman wrapped up a day to remember.

Halesowen are in play-off action on the road at old rivals Spalding United, who finished runners-up, on Wednesday.

The showpiece falls three years on to the day the Yeltz secured play-off glory at home to the Tulips in extra time in the tier below.

Elsewhere, Stourbridge, in 15th, had a winning finish over relegated Royston thanks to Liam Brazier’s solitary goal six minutes before half-time.

Sporting Khalsa endured final minute heartache as they were relegated from Northern West after a last-gasp 2-1 defeat at top-half Witton Albion.

Ian Rowe’s men were leapfrogged by Congleton Town, who survived with a 4-0 win.

A draw would have been enough for Khalsa, who led in the second half through Andre Landell. But hosts Witton levelled from the spot with 15 minutes left and Harry Woods netted a cruel winner on the break in stoppage time.

It brings to an end a five-season stint at step four for Khalsa.

Chasetown and Stafford Rangers finished 10th and 17th respectively after final-day away defeats.

The Scholars were beaten 1-0 by Stalybridge and Boro lost 2-0 at Vauxhall.

Relegated Darlaston Town suffered a humiliating 13-0 defeat at title-chasing Avro, who could have snatched the championship on goal difference had Bury lost, but the Shakers prevailed.

Lichfield City finished a very respectable eighth in their debut step four campaign having lost 3-1 at Shepshed to close.