Pics: Garry Griffiths/Will Kilpatrick/Josh Vosper
KIDDERMINSTER HARRIERS' plans to make an immediate return to the National League came crashing down as the club were beaten 2-0 in the second leg of their play-off semi-final by Chorley.
Having led 1-0 from the first leg, John Eustace's team would have felt confident of booking their place in the final. Things took an unexpected turn, however, with the Harriers suffering a surprise 2-0 defeat against a Chorley outfit that only qualified for the play-offs because Darlington 1883 failed to fulfil ground size requirements. Now facing up to at least another season outside the top five tiers of English football, Kidderminster will have to dust themselves down and prepare for a crucial campaign.
Following relegation into the National League North last year, this year's task was a simple one: earn promotion. The Harriers were unlucky to find themselves in the same division as a very good AFC Fylde team, though, finishing second in the table, six points behind the league winners despite a very good season. Kidderminster looked all set to get one step closer to earning a return to the Football League after beating Chorley away from home 1-0 in the first leg, though, only to suffer yet more end-of-season heartache.
Much of the focus is currently on the upcoming National League play-offs, where Tranmere are at short odds of 13/10 to beat Forest Green and secure their place in League Two; free bet offers such as Stan James' £20 welcome offer would, therefore, represent the best option for punters looking to bet on the competition. But for Kidderminster fans, the only thing on their mind has been getting out of their current division and back into the National League. After going behind early in front of their first crowd of the season of more than 3,000, Adam Roscoe popped up with a 92nd-minute winner for the visitors to consign Eustace's men to only their second defeat in 16 home games.
Having taken the decision to remain full-time despite falling into the sixth tier of English football, the pressure of failing to secure promotion this season will have an impact on the Harriers. As long as the club can hang onto their better players, such as captain Keith Lowe and top scorer Arthur Gnahoua, they will start next season as one of the favourites for promotion. But as we've seen this year, it takes more than having one of the league's strongest sides to get out of this division and back into the National League.
