CLIVE Seeley insists Knowle were always ‘outsiders’ in the title race after the Robins conceded in injury time in a 1-0 defeat at Redditch Borough.
Syrus Warren-Paul won the game for new leaders Redditch in the 94th minute at Cherry Tree Road, a result which all but ends Knowle’s title hopes.
The Robins drop to second in the Midland Football League Division Two table, one point behind Redditch who have three games in-hand.
Knowle’s joint manager Seeley said: “We were always outsiders for the league for the last couple of weeks, there didn’t deserve to be a loser, both sides had chances.
“We were thinking about going for the game with 10 minutes to go as a draw was no good for us anyway.
“But full credit to them, the league table doesn’t lie and they’ve consistently been the best team in the division all year.
“I felt physically we stood up to the challenge, I said to the lads, I’m very proud of them, there’s nothing to be disappointed about.”
Both teams started nervously in a top-of-the-table clash with mistakes aplenty as the two sides traded chances in a cagey affair.
The Robins improved after the break although Knowle goalkeeper Craig Johnson made a number of fine saves to keep the scores level.
However, the visitors were unable to make their dominance count and Borough stole the points in the fourth minute of injury time as Warren-Paul’s venomous shot proved too hot to handle for Robins keeper Johnson.
The visitors felt aggrieved however after the referee awarded Borough a free-kick in the build up to the goal which the Robins believed should have gone their way.
Knowle are next in action against Fairfield Villa on Tuesday, April 30 in the Les James Challenge Cup Final with kick-off at 7.30pm at Walsall’s Bescot Stadium.
