KIDDERMINSTER Harriers missed the chance to win the National League North title and earn automatic promotion after losing at Southport on the final day of the season.
Phil Brown’s side went into the final day top of the table, ahead of Brackley Town on goal difference.
However, Kidderminster slipped up at the Big Help Stadium as Harriers suffered a shock 2-1 defeat.
Goals from Tom Moore and Danny Philliskirk put Southport in command before Reiss McNally reduced the deficit.
However, Kidderminster were unable to turn the game around as Brown’s side surrendered top spot.
Defeat for Harriers handed Brackley the chance to overtake Kidderminster at the top of the table.
And the Saints eased to a 5-0 victory against bottom-of-the-table Farsley Celtic to snatch the title away from Kidderminster and deny Brown’s men automatic promotion.
Scunthorpe United also had a slim chance of topping the table and won 1-0 at Hereford – a result which meant Harriers dropped to third.
Harriers will now have to go through the play-offs as they try and return to the National League at the first attempt.
Kidderminster are joined in the play-offs by Scunthorpe, Chester, Chorley, King’s Lynn Town and Buxton.
