County’s hopes are over but Alty in play-offs

STOCKPORT’S fading promotion hopes are finally over after the National League confirmed their final placings following the curtailment of the season.

Although County were seventh and in a play-off spot when the campaign was called to a halt due to the COVID-19 pandemic, they now won’t qualify after the league voted to use points-per-game to decide final placings.

It means Barnet - who were 11th but had played three games fewer than County - move up into the final play-off spot and Stockport drop down to eighth.

Altrincham’s on-off National League North hopes are back on again, however.

They have finished fifth and in the play-off places.

Discussions last week suggested the second tier of non-league football wouldn’t be able to hold play-off matches as the government suggested it wasn’t ‘elite sport’.

However, that now seems to have been overturned, meaning the Robins still have a chance of promotion.

The ruling means Barrow are heading back to the Football League for the first time in 48 years as National League champions.

King’s Lynn have won the National League North title and Wealdstone the National League South.

National League chief executive Michael Tattersall said: “I congratulate each of our champions clubs on their successful campaigns.

“The enforced curtailment of our season does nothing to discredit the quality of the football played and I am pleased that our clubs have overwhelmingly supported the award of their titles.

“We can now also look towards the completion of end of season play-offs.”