Brackley beaten by Harrogate in promotion play-off
Brackley Town will remain in the National League North next season after the Saints lost 3-0 to Harrogate Town in the play-off final.
The FA Trophy finalists were edged out by a first half double from the Yorkshire side’s Dominic Knowles and a second-half Joe Leesley goal.
The visitors did have early chances, with Alex Gudger having one effort blocked on the line. But Gudger was then ruled to have handled a shot, and Knowles converted the resulting penalty to open the scoring for the home side.
Both sides spurned chances, with Aaron Williams denied twice, and Knowles failing to punish a poor backpass.
But it was Harrogate’s Knowles who grabbed the game’s second goal. The striker was fastest to react when the home side had a second attempt to send the ball in at a free-kick, and gave the home side a two goal lead at half-time.
Harrogate then wrapped up their place in next season’s 5th tier in the final 20 minutes, with Leesley converting a low cross.
Brackley’s attention now turns to next Sunday, with the Saints travelling to Wembley to face Bromley in the FA Trophy.