RETURNING manager Paul Smith watched on from the stands as Bromsgrove Sporting ended a tough Southern League Premier Division Central campaign with a 1-0 home loss to Barwell.
A healthy crowd of 1,205 saw former Rousler Tristan Dunkley score the only goal ahead of Smith taking to the dugout for next season after replacing Tim Flowers who left before Saturday's defeat.
Sporting started smartly with the second minute seeing a Jack Newell strike fumbled by keeper Liam Castle into the path of Keanu Cooper who narrowly missed from an acute angle.
Four minutes later Shaquille Leachman-Whittingham found an unmarked Nathan Blissett with a brilliant cross but the header went wide.
The 21st minute saw Aaron Roberts clatter the crossbar from inside the area whilst Leachman-Whittingham put a good opportunity over the bar soon after.
Barwell's Beck-Ray Enoru capped off a fine run with a shot that missed the target eight minutes into the second half and Jahvan Davidson-Milled saw a strike deflected into the arms of keeper Ollie Taylor midway through the half.
Cooper and substitute Peter Abimbola both had opportunities for the home side but they were both saved by Castle.
The winner came 12 minutes from time as the lively Enoru found Dunkley who tapped home from mere yards out.
Cooper had a headed chance to equalise in the 85th minute but he put it well over.
Sporting finished the season five points off the relegation zone in 17th position with 12 wins and eight draws from 40 games.
With Needham Market crowned champions, this week's play-off semi-finals see Redditch United head to Leamington and AFC Telford United host Mickleover.
Sporting's end-of-season awards were as follows: Supporters Player of the Season: Aaron Roberts; Players' Player of the Season: Luke Rowe; Manager's Player of the Season: Rowe; Directors' Player of the Season: OIlie Taylor; Young Player of the Season: David Soladami; Supporter of the Season: Jon Badger; Chairman's Special Award: Dave Stephens (football secretary and a director since the club's formation).
Sporting: Taylor, Derricott, Shaw, Rowe (Abimbola 56), Richards-Everton, Roberts, Soladami, Newell, Cooper, Blissett (Anaebonam 86), Leachman-Whittingham (Pais 63). Unused substitutes: Alamu, Bruck.
Referee: H Tarrant.
Sporting player of the match: Billy Shaw.
Attendance: 1,205.
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