HALESOWEN Town’s hopes of making the BGB Premier Division play-offs were dealt a derby day blow after letting a two goal lead slip away at fierce rivals Stourbridge on Bank Holiday Monday.

The 2-2 draw at the War Memorial leaves the Yeltz one place and four points adrift of Hemel Hempstead, who occupy the final play-off spot with only two games to go.

General manager Colin Brookes believes their chances are now slim but insisted they will not begiving in until it’s mathematically impossible.

He said: “Following the draw against Stourbridge we have probably only got a very slim chance of making the play-offs.

“If Hemel win either of their remaining fixtures we can not catch them but while there is still a possibility we will be giving it everything we’ve got.

“All we can do now is take care of our remaining two fixtures starting with Clevedon at home on Saturday.

“The work ethic of the lads has been excellent in recent weeks and that is a major reason why we are still in with a chance of making the play-offs.”

Brookes admitted letting a two-goal lead slip away at the Glassboys on Monday may cost them a shot at the play-offs.

The Yeltz were 2-0 up thanks to a brace of penalties from Graham Deakin but a late fightback from the Glassboys meant they had to settle for a point.

Brookes said: “We just needed to hold on for five minutes after we scored our second goal but we weren’t able to and it gave them the impetus to go on and push for an equaliser.

“Even though we didn’t get the result we wanted I thought it was a good footballing occasion played in difficult conditions due to a dry pitch.

“I thought we bossed the first half without really testing their keeper.”

The final home game of the season, this Saturday, will be an emotional one for Brookes as he says farewell to the Grove.

The 67-year-old announced he will be stepping down from his role of general manager at the end of the current season last week and the visit of Clevedon will end a great 15 years at the Grove.

Brookes who will be joined at the game by his wife Jane said: “It will be emotional because I’ve loved almost every minute of my 15 years here.

“It will be lovely to have my wife here with me because she hasn’t been to a game with me since 1961, when we watched Wolves youth team play Newcastle youth.

“I think she’s only coming on Saturday to make sure I don’t change my mind!

“All I hope now is that I can go out with a win.”