THERE is no room for another slip-up in Halesowen Town's title race according to boss Morell Maison, who watched his side throw away a three-goal lead in a comical final eight minutes against Swindon Supermarine on Saturday.
The Yeltz looked to have taken a three-point lead at the top of the BGB Premier Division when with 81 minutes on the clock they found themselves 4-1 up at home to their Wiltshire opponents thanks to goals from Dean Brennan, Eldon Maquemba, Andy Hall and Nick Amos.
But then disaster struck to the astonishment of the 460-strong Grove crowd as the Yeltz leaked three times as well conceding a penalty that was saved by Mark Osborn.
With the Yeltz's two closest rivals King's Lynn and Team Bath playing out a 0-0 draw they missed a golden chance to stretch their lead at the top.
Remaining as positive as ever Maison believes the calamitous collapse could well work in his side's favour during the final weeks of the season.
He said: "For the first time in a long while we were found wanting albeit for only 10 minutes.
"I think being 4-1 up and with 81 minutes on the clock we thought the job was done and just didn't show the character, focus and discipline needed to finish off the game.
"It's hard to be hyper-critical because since I arrived the players have given me everything and have worked tirelessly to turn what looked like a relegation battle into a championship race.
"In a way I think the players have been taught a valuable lesson on what is required and I d much rather it happen now than in a possible play-off game."
The draw keeps Halesowen top-of-the-table by one-point but with their rivals having games in hand their future is no longer within their own hands.
The Yeltz now have two fixtures remaining and Maison believes six-points are required if they are to have any hope of winning the league.
He added: "There is no room for manoeuvre now, we need two wins from our last two fixtures if we are to have any hope of winning the league.
"I think both Team Bath and Kings Lynn will struggle to win all their remaining fixtures so we have got be ready to pounce on any errors they make.
"I've said to the players lets make sure we get six points and see where that gets us.
"We suffered no injuries apart from to our pride so we will be fit and ready to go for the remainder of the season."
The Yeltz have no game this weekend but Maison will have more than a passing interest in how King's Lynn fair when they host Brackley on Saturday, as well as the outcome of the Team Bath v Gloucester City clash.
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