Dereham Town failed to take their play-off push right to the wire – but boss Matt Henman remains proud of his players' efforts, writes Ed Colman.

The Magpies' sensational run of form in 2015 kept their hopes of finishing in the top five alive right until the penultimate weekend of the season. However, a 1-1 draw at Maldon & Tiptree on Saturday ended any lingering hopes of reaching the end-of-season shoot-out for Ryman North promotion. So Saturday's home clash against Cray Wanderers has nothing but pride hinging on the outcome.

Henman said: 'We obviously kept the season going right until the end and while it would have been nice to have still been fighting for the play-offs on the last day of the season, we have done really well throughout the season and it has still been a very successful season.

'Our form recently has been excellent and we are all really pleased with the way we have been performing and all things considered it was probably a good point away at Maldon & Tiptree on Saturday, as they were fighting for their lives and made it difficult for us.

'Looking ahead, the hard work for next season has already begun and we are hoping to have some news next week on players committing themselves for next season and next year we'll be expecting to make the play-offs, rather than hoping to make them.

'Even with the play-offs gone, Saturday is still an important game and the lads can go out there and play with a bit more freedom, with the possibility of making one or two changes to the side because a lot of players have worked really hard recently and been left out so we want to get them involved.

'There should be a good atmosphere on Saturday as Cray Wanderers will be celebrating as well after an excellent run in their last seven or eight games, so hopefully people will come out and support us and make it an enjoyable end to a great season.'