Concord Rangers 1 Hillingdon Borough 0
HILLINGDON Borough again showed there is cause for optimism after pushing play-off chasing Concord to the wire on Saturday.
Steve Hale's men were undone by yet another penalty, their fifth conceded in their last six games, with Danny Heale tucking away the decisive kick after 18 minutes.
However, the performance left Hale confident about next season as they bid to bounce back from the pain of relegation from Ryman Division One North.
"Considering where Concord are in the league, we played very well on not the greatest pitch in the world," said The Borough manager. "We've got a very young side - the average age of the squad is 19 - and I'm sure the experience of this season with playing at a higher level will stand them in good stead.
"They have all said they want to stay for next season as we are learning all the time. The players have the ability to bounce back and I'm sure the confidence will come flooding back once we win some games next season."
Hale says his players can hold their heads high by playing the game in the right manner, despite falling through the trapdoor.
"We've gone down playing football and we want to go out with a bang against Waltham Forest on Saturday," he added.
The game sparked into life after Dave Stevens conceded the penalty. Heale placed his shot low to the right and Ben Harris guessed correctly, but the shot was too powerful to keep out.
Reece Chaudry and David Pugh both went close as the visitors ended the half the stronger side.
Chances were at a premium in the second half with Hillingdon's Zac Gill a colossus in defence as the hosts poured forward in seek of the killer second goal.
Liam Hopkins came closest but his dipping shot cannoned off the crossbar.
Hillingdon Borough: Harris, Gill, Pugh, Gallagher, Stevens, Edwards, Williams, Warrell, Chaudry, Suttie, Midega.
