Stourbridge 1, Salford City 2

STOURBRIDGE'S season ended in disappointment as they missed out on a play-off spot with defeat to Salford.

Wins for both Workington and Ashton in their final games meant the Glassboys had to beat City if they were to be involved in the end of season shake-up.

With the visitors making a host of changes to their line-up after already securing their own top-five finish, Stour were hopeful of getting the job done.

However, a double from lively forward Michael Itela saw the Glassboys fall at the final hurdle.

Stour had been the quicker out of the blocks but soon found themselves behind after just 11 minutes.

Itela was found at the far post by a deep ball in from John Johnson on the right. He peeled away at the far stick a guided the dropping ball past Gould to break the deadlock.

It was a big set-back for the hosts but they reacted well and eventually worked their way back into the contest.

A host of deep balls in and long throws from midfielder Tom Tonks caused issues for the City rearguard.

The leveller came on 20 minutes when skipper Stuart Pierpoint, still up following a corner, headed home a Chris Lait cross.

Both sides continued to battle for the ball in a close encounter, but it was Stour that ended the better.

They started to pick up loose balls in midfield and built some good pressure as the clock ticked down.

They could have even taken a lead into the break when Hawley headed straight at keeper Jay Lynch when unmarked in a central position after another Lait cross.

With their two rivals for a top-five finish all winning it was clear that the Glassboys had to find another way through in the second half.

However, It was Salford that started the brighter when play resumed.

Gareth Seddon got across his marker on 48 minutes but could only divert a right wing cross past the far post.

Stour needed to find a way into the contest and they got it from a host of long throws from Tonks. Time and time again his balls in from the touch line kept Salford pressed back approaching the hour mark.

What followed was Stour's best spell of the game as the pressure started to build.

On 59 minutes the home management team were on their feet after spotting a handball from the Salford defender as he fell on the ball trying to halt George Bowerman's progress into the box from the right.

But, despite screams from a packed Memorial Ground, the referee and his assistant only awarded a corner.

Once City had weather the Stour storm they began to ask questions themselves on the break.

Johnson fired wide on 62 minutes before Gould was called into action to thwart Itela five minutes later.

Salford's pace on the break was to prove decisive on 72 minutes when they bagged the killer goal that would end Stour's season.

Winger Joseph Mwasile beat Junior Smikle on the left before crossing for Itela once more.

The forward met the ball and again provided the controlled finish to give the Glassboys a mountain to climb.

Chris Lait saw two late efforts well blocked as time ran out on Stour's campaign.

Ultimately it has been a season to remember on one level thanks to fine FA Cup and FA Trophy runs, but it is the league where manager Gary Hackett and his players will be judged.

And after falling to back-to-back defeats at the end of a long season, they can't have any complaints that they missed out.

Stourbridge: Gould, Green, Scarr, Geddes, Smikle (Richards 75), Pierpoint (c) (Hull 90), Tonks, Broadhurst, Hawley, Bowerman (Canavan 90), Lait.

Unused Subs: Vincent, Whittall.

Salford: Lynch, Hulme, O'Halloran, Gumbs, Nolan, Priestly, Johnson, Clark (Morley 85), Itela, Seddon, Mwasile.

Unused Subs: Dootson, Stopforth, Burton, Poole.