IAN Long has called on Alvechurch to break the 100 point barrier this season after their title hopes in the Midlands Premier came to an end.

Church sealed second place with a 3-2 win at Sporting Khalsa on Monday night, while Hereford secured the top spot and automatic promotion with a 4-0 success against Coventry Sphinx.

With four games of the season left, the Lye Meadow outfit could finish with 104 points.

Long still harbours hopes that two teams may go up, depending on what happens in the other step five feeder leagues, and believes a large points gap over the rest of the league may well strengthen their case.

He said: "I would like to extend my congratulations to Hereford, the league doesn't lie at this stage of the season.

"We've pushed them all the way, without us they would have won the league at a canter.

"Without Hereford we'd have won the league but I would like us to break the 100 point barrier.

"I hope the powers that be take in account that we've pushed a huge phoenix club all the way and that if there's a chance for two teams to up they look at us.

"Alvechurch is sustainable and the chairman has invested a lot of money to make sure the ground is ready.

"I believe we'd be able to compete if we went up and I would like to maintain our rivalry with Hereford."

A brace for Josh March and a Sam Williams late strike sealed a hard fought win at Willenhall, although Khalsa had battled back from 2-0 down to draw level.

Long is set to be in hot water after refusing to talk to the referee after the game.

Church entertain Long Eaton at home on Thursday night and go to Coleshill on Saturday (3pm ko).

They welcome Khalsa to Lye Meadow on May 3 before ending the campaign against Bardon Hill on Thursday, May 5 (both games 7.45pm ko).

The clash against Bardon had originally been set for Saturday but was cancelled when the East Midlands side were unable to field a team.

Church had been hoping to be awarded three points, Bardon are facing sanction from the league, but with their promotion hopes ended their season was extended to alleviate the fixture backlog.

Bardon Hill issued a statement, saying: “We would like to unreservedly apologise to Alvechurch FC, the committee and board of the Midland Football League and the member clubs of the Premier Division for having to cancel the fixture at short notice."