Non-league round-up: Kidderminster Harriers blow title win on final day

They started the day top of the table, level on points with Brackley Town but with a huge goal difference advantage, and with the National League North title win in their own hands.

But Harriers found themselves 2-0 down at Southport and Reiss McNally's second half finish was not enough to get them back into the game, as they fell to a 2-1 defeat to a side that finished 18th in the division and has struggled all year.

Brackley beat Farsley Celtic 5-0 to become champions, while Scunthorpe United's win at Hereford meant Harriers dropped down to third.

Brown, frustrated at the 'uncharacteristic' performance, apologised to fans for the display and felt the pressure was too much on the day.

"Devastated for the right reasons, the fact we lost the game, a game that had a lot hanging on it," Brown said.

"Winning the game would have got us promoted but I think everybody's attached too much to it, you attach the whole season to one game of football and don't step up the plate.

"I think I prepared the team wrong, we looked like we had lead in our boots, there was no energy.

"It hasn't been coming, I didn't see it coming to tell you the truth, but I have to apologise to every punter that's come here fully expecting a performance that was worthy of saying the words pride and hope.

"There are lots of things that are normally attached to a Kidderminster Harriers performance, but today was all the bad words in football. Poor decisions, no energy, nobody taking control of the game. Nobody seemed as if they had any bottle to try and win the game.

"Seriously, it's beyond me, it really is. I've been in the game a long, long time and that performance was so uncharacteristic of us in the last two or three months.

"Did I see it coming? Not in the slightest."

Harriers still have a chance at promotion, however, as they enter the play-off picture.

They will now face a play-off semi-final against either Chester or Buxton at Aggborough Stadium on Sunday, before a potential final two weeks later.

Elsewhere in the league, Rushall Olympic ended their dismal season with a 5-1 loss to Chorley.

Roddy McGlinchey gave the already-relegated hosts the lead, but their Lancashire opponents bounced back to take a 2-1 lead before half-time, ahead of a dominant second half.

In the Southern Central Premier, Halesowen Town finished fourth after a 2-2 draw with Stamford.

The hosts took the lead within two minutes before Conor Tee hit back for Russ Penn's side.

Stamford regained the lead three minutes later and a second half Jamie Willets finish was enough to earn them a point and set up a play-off clash with AFC Telford United.

Stourbridge finished ninth after their 2-0 loss at Bedford Town.