Hendon ended the season in disappointing fashion when they were torn apart by Kettering Town at Rockingham Road on Saturday. Sadly, the 4-1 defeat dropped the Greens two places down the table for a final finishing position of fourth, one lower than last season, although the points total was four higher and the gap between them and the champions was five fewer.

Dale Binns' suspension and James and Mark Burgess' unavailability meant that Hendon were down 13 fit players, including two goalkeepers. Pat Gavin came in at the heart of the defence, in place of Mark Burgess, while Martin Randall got the nod up front, ahead of Ricci Crace.

After ten minutes of parity Kettering grabbed the intiative and never really let go. In the 19th minute Darren Lynch headed just wide from a Richard Graham corner. Seven minutes later, he fired just over, shooting on the turn, then missed with a free header from five yards out after Graham had bamboozled Dave Hunt down the left wing.

Wayne Diuk set up Chris Difante for another chance in the 40th minute, but he was denied by a superb block from Dave King who, apart from mishandling the first cross he had to deal with, kept Hendon in the game during the first half.

Going forward Hendon had no joy. Dwayne Plummer could not get into the game, became frustrated and after being cautioned, was booed mercilessly every time he touched the ball. He curled a 40-yard free-kick just over the crossbar, but Mark Bunn was positioned to make a save if necessary.

The only other effort even close to the target was another free-kick, this time from Scott Cousins, whose 28-yard strike was pushed aside by Bunn in the 32nd minute.

Steve Butler, who at half-time received four stitches in a head wound suffered early in the game, and Antony Howard battled manfully along with Gavin at the heart of the defence, but from early in the second half, it was clear a goalless draw would be a superb result for the Greens.

Hendon actually started the second brightly more brightly, although neither Eugene Ofori nor Randall go any joy out of Rob Gould or Brett Solkhon. At least Andy Cook and Steve Forbes were able to get forward a little more, but chances were at a premium. However, three goals in 10 minutes took the game away from the Greens.

After 58 minutes, Craig McIlwain lifted a ball over the defence between Gavin and King. After a moment of hesitation the goalkeeper came for the ball but could only bobble it out for a corner.

When the ball was delivered, King dropped the cross. Lynch's shot was blocked on the line, but the rebound fell to McILWAIN, who slotted the ball through a crowd of players into the net.

In the 62nd minute Graham again caused panic down the left wing. His low cross was deflected beyond King and Lynch's shot was well blocked by Butler. This time the rebound fell to DIFANTE, who doubled the advantage.

Before play could restart, Crace replaced Plummer, while former Hendon loanee Paul Fewings took over for Difante, who thus scored with his final touch of the season.

The goal of the game arrived in the 69th minute. Some good interplay by Hendon, involving Cousins and Cook, broke down with a short pass that was intercepted by Aaran Cavill. He quickly released GRAHAM, who went on a 60-yard run before slotting the ball past King.

With 12 minutes to go, Forbes, Ofori and Crace linked up well and the ball ended up at CRACE's feet. Bunn came off his line, but the substitute beat him with a confident shot. Within 30 seconds he was lucky to receive only a yellow card for a bad foul.

In the 82nd minute, Cook found himself in referee Mr R. Beevor's notebook for getting his shirt pulled and being pushed in the chest. He won a ball in midfield was pulled back and turned to face his assailant, who then pushed him, two-handed, in the chest. Players gathered round to stop the incident escalating before Mr Beevor showed both players yellow cards.

As the game moved into stoppage time the Hendon defence was breached for a fourth and final time. Dragged across the penalty area by another Graham run, there was a lack of numbers available to cover DIUK, who fired low past King. It merely rubbed salt into the wound.

"It was a bridge too far for us," admitted manager Dave Anderson. "I have no complaints about the result today; they battered us. However, I have absoutely no complaints about our players and the performances they have put in this season. They have been magnificent."