The Bucks did enough to secure a 3rd-place finish thanks to a 1-1 draw with Royston Town.

The Crows took an early lead in the 6th minute. It was all too easy for Royston to carry the ball down the middle and play Kian Harness through to shoot low across Hall and into his far right corner.

The Bucks had a way back into the game in the 20th minute when Jimmy Armson was fouled in the box, but Matty Stenson’s penalty was well saved by Reuben Rabstein in the Royston goal.

The remainder of the half was a messy affair with few clear cut chances. Kevin Wilkin’s rotated side were some way below their best, while some strange decisions also contributed to making things scrappy and disjointed. 1-0 to the Crows at half time.

The Bucks huffed and puffed in the second half, but struggled to break down a physical and well-drilled Royston team. Remi Walker came close to a leveller in the 73rd minute, but his effort from distance came back off the inside of Rabstein’s right post before being hooked clear off the goalline by the Crows.

Wilkin’s men did eventually find an equaliser in the 87th minute though. Dylan Allen-Hadley appeared to be brought down in the box, but a freekick was the decision. And from the resulting set piece, Jordan Cranston hung the ball up to the far post for Orrin Pendley to head home.

With Royston’s resistance eventually broken, the Bucks looked the much more likely side in the seven minutes of added time that followed but couldn’t find the winner.

With Halesowen held at Stamford, the 1-1 draw for the Bucks is enough to secure home advantage for the playoff semi final. Wilkin’s men will now host Halesowen at the SEAH Stadium on Wednesday night.