WHEN referee Mr P.

Brabin blew the whistle to end Saturday's match with Matlock he was probably signalling the end of UniBond League football at Parkside.

Admittedly Kendal Town have not yet been relegated to the North West Counties League, but escaping the drop looks nigh on impossible.

Next Saturday Town travel to second-placed Ossett Town knowing that anything less than three points means relegation.

On Tuesday night Belper and Stocksbidge both won and freed themselves of relegation worries.

Now Town's only realistic lifeline is a final day of the season meeting with Farsley Celtic, who currently have five more points than Town.

Farsley meet Matlock on Saturday, but if they lose and Kendal win at Ossett the scene will be set for a dramatic final encounter of the season next Friday.

Peter Smith's side has shown guts and determination on a shoestring budget since former manager Mick Hoyle walked out at the end of January.

With the aid of borrowed players, like Milnthorpe Corinthians' Craig Walmsley it looked a month ago as if they had done enough to survive, but April has proved to be their downfall, with just two draws from five matches.

Smith puts that down to the difficulties of having to cope with a squad of just 14 players, recently reduced to 12 by injuries.

Week after week Kendal have shown that there is little to choose between teams from the middle and lower reaches of the UniBond First Division and it will be a tragedy if they are relegated to the North West Counties feeder league because once out of the UniBond system, which Town have enjoyed since the First Division was formed 15 seasons ago, it may prove very difficult to get back in.

Whatever league Kendal are in next season Smith hopes to continue as manger.

He said that bringing in the best local talent could put a new buzz and spirit back into the club.