Winsford’s loss of six points for twice fielding ineligible players meant that they were battling with Gretna to avoid second bottom spot and the possibility of relegation.
Winsford put up a brave fight at Harrogate, coming back from falling a goal behind to a Craig Elliott effort to take the lead courtesy of goals from Rendall and Lowe.
Their hopes of securing a vital win were dashed however when Steve Underwood popped up to net a late equaliser for Harrogate.
Gretna needed to win their home game with Matlock to be certain of survival and this they duly did as top scorer Mark Dobie netted a brace of goals to secure the points and lift Gretna up to the dizzy heights of 16th position.
That’s one place above Guiseley who ended their campaign with a 1-1 draw at Chorley thanks to a goal from Lee Poole. Kendal Town shared four goals with Trafford after racing into a two goal lead thanks to efforts from Hayton and O’Keefe. Form side Trafford hit back to level the score with strikes from Emmett and Murray.
Farsley Celtic also finished the season on 47 points after losing 2-0 against North Ferriby. Eastwood’s defeat at the hands of witton meant that they finished the season in 20th spot.
At the summit of the table Bradford ended their season on a high note with a 2-1 win at Radcliffe courtesy of a brace of goals from Jason Maxwell.
Third placed Ashton United overcame already promoted Vauxhall Motors by two goals to nil, their goals netted by Gomersal and Clowes, to end the season one agonising point behind the men from Ellesmere Port.
