It was simply a must-win game for both sides. On the face of it, City were in the prime spot – third in the table and buoyant from an excellent win at Hemel two days earlier. But under Bernard McNally, Hednesford had enjoyed a superlative second half of the season. Since beating Oxford in January his team had won 17, drawn five and lost two matches, boasting an impressive run of results away from home.

City’s home record is also enviable but with the enforced absence of Lee Chaffey and Dave Theobald, the new pairing of Laurie Stewart and Milton Elenge were pressed into action. Mark Coulson dropped to the bench following his heroics on Thursday.

A fine crowd, strong away support and a buzzing atmosphere graced Milton Road. A gentle breeze, wonderful summer-like sunshine, a penalty shoot-out final to look forward to and a live band playing songs from Wreckless Eric’s back catalogue – the club felt like a good place to be.

But when it came to the football, despite City’s efforts, it was the Pitmen who were destined to prevail. Of the two sides, Hednesford looked the better equipped on the day to succeed. A solid back four, a busy midfield and in Tyrone Barnett the sort of forward that defenders hate all combined to give the visitors the whip hand.

That’s not to say that City didn’t compete. They did and their effort was never in doubt but in terms of dominating the match and creating chances that tested Stuart Brock in the away goal, they were off the pace.

City's MotM Laurie Stewart in action

Odd half chances came City’s way: A weak shot from Jamie Barker on 4 minutes, a dangerous curling cross from Tony Burke that was plucked off Barker’s head on 7 and then an effort that was lifted over from the same player on 12. Barker’s miss-hit shot on 18 was perhaps closer to Brock’s goal than the keeper imagined, the ball trickling to safety. Barker crossed on 22 when he had a chance to shoot and on 28 Burke had time to profit from Aaron Gibson’s miss-kick but hurried his chance. All half chances, but nothing to cause huge alarms for the visitors.

The Pitmen were also carving out their chances. Elliott Durrell made inroads on the City goal and had to be marshalled to safety by Elenge before he shot wide on 11 and when Elenge blocked a shot for a corner on 13, Liam Francis’ header was put over when he might have hit the target. Zac Barrett was forced to smother the ball following a neat move between Chris Clements and Durrell which put in Barnett on goal but later the same duel was won by Barnett who beat the keeper to a high free kick, his header thumping against the cross bar.

In the 36th and 39th minutes the Hednesford faithful behind Barrett’s goal appealed with some enthusiasm for penalties, first for a perceived handball and secondly when Elenge and Barnett tangled. Nothing doing, according to referee Will Hardie. Hednesford's best opportunity came on 44 when Barrett couldn’t hold Durrell’s drive and had to be at his best to block Barnett’s resulting follow-up

At 0-0 at half time, City hadn’t sparkled but neither were they out of the game. One attack, one moment of genius, a fluke, a bobble – and City could have been ahead. Meanwhile, news from the other grounds was circulating. Bashley three down at half time and out of it; Truro one to the good against Brackley and oh…Chippenham leading Farnborough. If things stayed as they were then City were in the play-offs.

But they didn’t. Three goals – two as soft as you’ll see and another directly from a throw-in did for the Lilywhites. Substitute Josh Craddock who had only just replaced Adam McGurk couldn’t have been more grateful when he was presented with an easy opportunity to turn and score on 58, after City had twice neglected to clear the ball. City had just 30 minutes to make good the deficit and in search of inspiration, Gary Roberts brought on Steve Gentle – surely City’s most selfless player of the year – and Mark Coulson for Midgley and Ashley Fuller.

Gentle provided an effective target and for a while City were able to take possession in the Hednesford half – but without getting a shot away.

Meanwhile, Barnett got his just desserts for an afternoon of hard work when he back headed a long throw past Barrett on 69 and in truth, the game was up for the Lilywhites. Following a disastrous “After you…”, "No, After you” mix up in defence, Barnett was on hand to collect his second on 82 minutes.

And that was that. An afternoon that began so full of promise could now only be saved by the results of other teams. Chippenham won; Brackley secured a draw and that single point edged out City to sixth. One single point. If only City could have converted one of their 17 draws into a win. If only a soft penalty at Halesowen hadn’t been given and the victory denied; if only City hadn’t played 21 games (21 games - that’s nearly half a season’s worth of fixtures) in less than two months; if only Theo and Chaffs could have teamed up one last time this season…but that’s all ifs and buts.

With a small squad and injuries to Chaffey, Theobald and Gentle, the team were running on memory by the end of the season and it’s in their favour that they kept going for as long as they did. This City team have shown a fighting spirit and togetherness that is utterly to their credit. They have also provided the boardroom cabinet with a new piece of silverware, the first for nearly 25 years. And best of all, they’ve provided the City faithful with a season that was engaging, exciting and captivating right up to the final whistle of the very last game.

Thank you.

Post match reaction Gary Roberts Like everyone else, I’m clearly disappointed that we have fallen at the final hurdle... more