Boss McDonald delighted as determined Poppies hold on to keep alive play-off dream
Liam McDonald praised his Kettering Town team's commitment and defensive determination as they battled their way to a 0-0 draw against play-off rivals Halesowen Town on Saturday despite playing the final 30 minutes with 10 men.
The point earned means the Poppies stay fifth in the Pitching-In Southern League Premier Central, and they know a win in their final match of the regular season at Bury Town on Saturday will guarantee them a play-off place.
But they had to do it the hard way against the Yeltz in front of a crowd of 1,732 at Latimer Park, with Preston Bitemo being sent-off after 59 minutes for picking up two yellow cards in the space of a minute.
With Halesowen boasting the division's 31-goal top-scorer Jason Cowley in their ranks, it was a backs-to-the-wall effort from the Poppies, but they did enough to secure the draw, and their manager was delighted.
"With going down to 10 men for the last half-hour, it was important that we still had things in our own hands, and I thought the lads defended so well," McDonald told Kettering Town's YouTube channel.
"It wasn't a great game, there wasn't a lot of quality, and we looked nervous for the first time in a number of games, but that is to be expected as we are getting down to the business end.
"The boys have been fantastic, the fans were brilliant, and we have managed to hang in there, take a point and keep ourselves in the play-offs.
"It gives us an opportunity next week to cement our place."
And he added: "Halesowen have a fantastic squad, and they kept bringing on quality players, but the lads have hung in there.
"We worked so hard out of possession, and it was just we lacked a bit of quality and didn't really work their keeper, and Paul White has been great for us and made some good saves.
"That is unlike us and our set-pieces weren't great, but we were missing Lewis Coyle and he is crucial to what we are, and Alfie Lewis and George Forsyth as well, so hopefully we will have all three back going into the biggest game of our season."
Prior to that huge encounter against Bury Town, the Poppies have the small matter of an NFA Hillier Senior Cup semi-final against Peterborough United Under-23s to play on Monday night.
Kick-off at Latimer Park is 7.45pm, and it is likely that several key players will be rested.
McDonald admitted: "We have the semi-final of a cup, but it is not a priority because of what's at stake in the league.
"But we will take that on and then prepare properly for Bury on Saturday."
The winners of Monday night's last four tie will take on Wellingborough Town in the final, with the date and venue of that match yet to be confirmed.