McDonald admits Poppies still have 'a lot of improvement to do' to match top sides
Liam McDonald has praised play-off finalists Real Bedford and Spalding United - and admitted that Kettering Town still have a lot of work to do to match those teams and get where they want to be.
The Poppies produced a brilliant run-in to the season to finish fourth in the Pitching-In Southern League Premier Central and reach the play-offs.
But their campaign came to an abrupt end on Wednesday night as they were beaten 3-1 in their semi-final at Real Bedford.
McDonald took full responsibility for the disappointing defeat, but admitted he felt his Poppies side were simply beaten by the better team, and that both Bedford and the Tulips deserve their place in Monday's play-off final, which will be played at the home of league runners-up Spalding.
"I blame myself, I always will, and if we lose it is my fault," said McDonald, who took the reins at Latimer Park in November, following the departure of Simon Hollyhead.
"I could be stood here questioning loads of things, but ultimately the best team won and Real Bedford are a really good team.
"I will be surprised if they don't go on and win it now because they are good at what they do.
"The final will be a fantastic game, and Spalding and Real are the two best sides in the play-offs."
And on his own Kettering team, McDonald added: "Even though we are a big club, we were going into them as underdogs and there is a lot of improvement to do.
"I still think there are five or six players that I would like to bring in that are of a better standard than what we have got, but that's not taking anything away from our players.
"The boys have been brilliant, it's just that nothing came off for us on the night."