The suspension of leading scorer Michael Midwood for the final three games hit the Celts hard but manager Lee Sinnott refused to let that disappointment become an excuse for his side's poor finish.

"We hit mid-table form just at the wrong time and that cost us the title and the chance to reach the Conference North through the play-offs," said Sinnott summing up his first season as a manager.

The Celts had never led UniBond Division One all season but their imperious form in the second half of the campaign put them in the box seat to land the championship.

Going into the derby with nearest neighbours Guiseley on Easter Monday, they had four games left and if they had won them all they would have lifted the crown. Their two main rivals were four points clear but did not have enough games left.

"When we look back on the season two results stand out, the home defeat to Matlock Town at the back end of March and the Guiseley game. That really put us on the ropes and we never recovered.

"Matlock and Hyde United pushed on and closed us out. We were left treading water, and even before we went to Bishop Auckland in midweek it was all over really.

"We have had to do it the hard way all season, playing catch-up but always within touching distance because of games in hand. That was because we drew too many games over the season.

"Early on we were hard to beat but we let some victories slip through the net. We got one point from games we should have won but we still came very close and had a good run in the FA Cup and reached the final of the County Cup.

"There are many positives we can look back on but there are negatives that need addressing. The only way a club moves forward is by acting on the areas of weakness and learning from disappointments.

"It is a shame to come so close and end with nothing but it has been a season of change and we are in the UniBond Premier next season for the first time in the club's history.

"Myself and my assistant John Deacey will sit down this week with chairman Andy Firbank, president John Palmer and Paul Glover to discuss the future.

"There has been considerable change to the squad this season, slow progress not a clear out, and I hope we can mount a strong, serious challenge in the Premier next season."