Play-off loss 'like a dagger' for Kettering boss

Richard Lavery was assistant to Marcus Law when Kettering won promotion to National League North in 2019

Kettering Town boss Richard Lavery says losing their play-off final against AFC Telford United was "like a dagger in the heart".

The Poppies were looking to return to National League North or South but lost 4-2 at home to Telford after twice taking the lead.

Former Newcastle United striker Nile Ranger put Kettering ahead in the first half, and they went 2-1 up through Wes York, only for Telford to sweep their hopes away in a strong finish.

"It's hard to take. This club shouldn't be in this league. We were top for a long time, and people were getting carried away, me included. I thought we were going to win it," Lavery told BBC Radio Northampton.

When businessman George Akhtar took over the club last May, he set a target of steering it to the English Football League for the first time.

The Poppies beat League One neighbours Northampton Town in the FA Cup first round but ultimately lost out in the Southern League Premier Central title race, finishing second behind Bedford Town.

They beat Harborough Town on penalties to reach the play-off final but came up short against Telford as they looked to return to the second tier of non-league football, from which they were relegated in 2023.

"No-one likes to lose finals. We gave them three goals - Wednesday [against Harborough] we were unbelievable at the back, but I think a few players froze in big key moments. They weren't well-worked goals... for me, we threw the game away," said Lavery.

He rejected suggestions, however, that because of the defeat, the season could not be looked on as a good one.

"From where the club was when I took over last year, to get in a play-off final and into the second round of the FA Cup is a massive achievement - but it feels like a dagger in the heart.

"I've heard a lot of noise about 'not doing a good job' and all that, but I took us to a play-off final. We fell short at the final hurdle, yes, and I'll take responsibility for that, but we'd have taken it as a club all day at the end of last season."

Lavery still has a year left on his contract with Kettering and wants to stay on for next season.

"I never walk away and give in. I'm a winner through and through, but this hurts. I need a rest to re-set."