Harrogate Town are almost certain to be relegated from Blue Square North after losing 5-2 at home to Blyth.

Former York striker Paul Brayson scored a hat-trick to leave Town needing to win their final five - and hoping for Redditch to lose their final two.

Town's assistant manager Tom Wade told BBC Radio York: "I'm a Blyth lad. It's very personal to me, I'm devastated.

"We said 'keep Paul Brayson tight' but sometimes Brayson has a game like that and he's just unplayable."

He added: "We didn't press high enough, didn't work hard enough, didn't get the tackles in midfield. Collectively we got beaten on the day by a better side than us."

We're not quitters. I've been in this situation with other clubs and have got out of it Tom Wade

Harrogate also have the slight chance of finishing with a better record than Lewes in Blue Square South. Chester's demise means one of the clubs finishing 20th may win a reprieve.

Despite the long odds against their escape, Wade refuses to give up hope.

"We're not going to throw the towel in. We've got to pick them up for Tuesday [when they face Corby]," he said.

"We're not quitters. I've been in this situation with other clubs and have got out of it."

Wade ended by casting covetous eyes on Blyth's free-scoring Brayson.

"I've managed him at two clubs. Every club in the Conference and the Northern Conference would love him," he said.

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