Hucknall Town beaten in the play-offs by Hinckley

Hucknall Town's hopes of promotion were ended for this season after they were beaten 3-0 by Hinckley in the semi-final of the play-offs yesterday afternoon (Saturday 30 April).

A brace from Ryan Hankin and a goal from Charlie Evans sent the hosts into the play-off final of the Uhlsport United Counties Division One where they will face Belper United.

A record 502 strong crowd were in attendance at Kirkby Road and it was Hinckley who made the brighter start with both Evans and Harkin forcing Hucknall goalkeeper Louis Kinnerley into action in the first five minutes.

Hucknall responded as Craig Westcarr's dangerous free kick was blocked by the wall and Grant Ryan had an appeal for a penalty turned down after his shot appeared to the strike the hand of a defender.

Then, just before the half hour mark, Harkin broke the deadlock, turning the ball home from within the six yard box.

Captain Aaron Short and Ryan both tested the Hinckley 'keeper before half-time but at the interval The Yellows trailed by a single goal.

The second half didn't start well for Hucknall as just after five minutes in, they were reduced to ten men when Jordan Phillips was shown a second yellow card.

Hinckley were quick to capitalise on their numerical advantage and within two minutes Harkin had his second goal of the game as he headed home Tom Weale's freekick.

Evans added a third five minutes later, and just before the hour Hucknall were dealt another blow as Cayne Maxwell was sent off after receiving a second yellow card for a challenge on Weale.

Trailing by three and down to nine men Hucknall didn't give in and both Westcarr and Matt Brian came close to giving Hucknall a foothold in the game. However, it wasn't to be, and Hinckley were able to see the game out to book their place in the play-off final.

Speaking to the club's website after the game, Hucknall Town manager Andy Graves said: "We're disappointed, as you can imagine."

"We feel a bit aggrieved, because their first goal came from a corner that my lads are saying was clearly our goal kick.

"We actually could have gone one-nil up if we'd got the penalty for handball at the other end, but that's the way it's gone, and that's sometimes the way our season has gone, due to decisions like that.

"We regret not testing their keeper more in the first half, particularly after putting so many [goals] past him in the two games before today.

"Then we were looking to make changes just after half-time but unfortunately things were taken out of our hands with the first red card.

"At the end of the day, Hinckley are a very good side, and we wish them well for the final next week."