CHALFONT St Peter are trying to find the silver lining after missing out on the South Midlands Spartan title for the third season running.

They were beaten 2-1 by Broxbourne on Saturday to lose touch with Aylesbury, who wrapped up the title by scoring three goals in the final ten minutes of a 4-1 victory over Leverstock Green.

The Saints are now four points off top with just tomorrow’s trip to Royston remaining.

Manager Danny Edwards said: “We’ve taken 59 of the last 72 points, but losing seven games by mid-October was the killer for us.

”To come so close again is a real frustration and coming second will always hurt, but I don’t think anything will hurt as much as last year and losing in the FA Vase semi-finals the way we did [penalty shoot-out. We won’t get as big a kicking in your life.”

Saints have now finished second, third and second in the past three seasons. They have also reached two cup semi-finals in that time and three finals.

One League Cup is their only bit of silverware to show for it though.

Edwards said: “I’m trying to turn it into a positive and I’m quite proud of the consistency we’ve shown and our achievements over the last three years.

“Because of what we’ve done I hope the majority of squad will stick with me and I’ve already got five or six new players lined up for next season.”