Season has been a Brig disappointment for Kay

After reaching the play-off final the previous two years, big things were expected of the club at the start of the season.

With the squad strengthened in the summer by the acquisitions of former PNE favourite Brett Ormerod and Fleetwood Town legend Jamie Milligan, optimism was high that this season could finally be Brig’s time.

Unfortunately, things have not gone according to plan for Neil Crowe’s men and they find themselves playing for pride in the final few weeks of the campaign.

Seventeen points behind fifth-placed Burscough, with just seven games left, their hopes of a third successive shot at the play-offs are all but over.

And Kay admits unlike previous years, this year’s promotion race was wide open as there is no one team who is head and shoulders above the rest in terms of finances.

“After the last two years, this season been massively disappointing,” said Kay, who was transfer listed last year before winning his place back in the team.

“We got to the play-off final in the last two seasons when the division was really tough.

“I think this year, it has been one of the easier seasons to try to win promotion with the likes of Salford City and Darlington both going up last season.

“We are not used to being in this position in the league.

“Obviously, it’s disappointing not getting results against teams we have normally been able to beat over the past few years.”

Brig travel to play-off chasing Clitheroe tonight looking to register only their second win in their last eight games. Following the visit to Shawbridge, they then visit Spennymoor Town on Saturday.

“We have obviously got a very good side,” said Kay, who was left kicking his heels on Saturday after the game against Glossop at home was postponed. “It’s just a matter of consistency. We can beat any team in this division on our day as the win over Northwich Victoria the other week proved.”