Boss McDonald's pride as Kettering Town set up play-off semi-final at Real Bedford

Liam McDonald's side travelled to Bury Town on Saturday needing a win to guarantee a top five finish, and Eddie Panter's first-half goal secured a precious 1-0 win.

And with Needham Market losing to drop out of the play-offs altogether, the win meant the Poppies finished fourth and will go to a Real Bedford side that finished third in the table.

The other semi-final sees Spalding United host Halesowen Town, with the two winners meeting in the play-off final at the home of of the highest-placed side on Bank Holiday Monday (May 4).

It has been an incredible few months for the Poppies, who have climbed up from the bottom half of the table to secure a chance at promotion, and manager Liam McDonald had nothing but praise for his players.

"It's been quite a journey," said McDonald. "What the players have achieved, from being I think 17 points off the play-offs, in such a short space of time is unbelievable.

"I don't think they realise how well they have actually performed.

"We haven't got time to digest anything or think, but last season the (Kettering) team finished with five more points than we have, and look at the season they had.

"It shows how well the boys have done, and I am so proud of them."

And he added: "We have had 18 games since we spoke about every game being a cup final, so can you have momentum over 18 games?

"I just think it's consistency we have got.

"So many people said we wouldn't go to Bury and win, that it's a banana skin, it's a tough game.

"But Eddie has pulled it out of the bag and we deseved to be 1-0 or 2-0 up at half-time.

"In the second half we had to defend, and we are very good at doing that and I felt we would see it out, and we did.

"Bury have been in good form and the boys have done the business.

"It's a fantastic day, a fantastic day for the fans, but we have to go and do it all again."