AMONG all the adulation being heaped on Hereford United after avoiding relegation from the Skrill Premier, spare a thought for Steve Burr.

While the Bulls were celebrating pulling off the great escape, it was Burr's Chester who ended up falling through the trap door.

Having started the season seemingly on the cusp of great things at Kidderminster Harriers, Burr has ended the campaign dropping out of the division.

The irony of the situation won't be lost on Harriers, who could well have been about to take part in the play-offs had they not dispensed with Burr's services at the turn of year and put assistant Gary Whild on gardening leave.

Pointing the finger at their then boss' flirtation with Forest Green Rovers for a slump in form, Harriers decided to wield the axe and bring in relative unknown Andy Thorn.

Although they reached the FA Cup fourth round, Thorn's tenure desperately back-fired on the club and then chairman Mark Serrell, who resigned after a barrage of online abuse from supporters.

Eventually, Thorn was relieved of his duties and Whild brought back as manager, by which time it was too late to salvage the situation despite an upturn in form. That episode ultimately cost Harriers their shot at promotion,

Burr took over at Chester in January and the former Stalybridge striker lifted them out of the bottom four and looked to have guided them to safety until a late Salisbury equaliser, couple with Hereford's winner, sent them down

A penny for his thoughts now.