RUARDEAN Hill Rangers came up on the inside rail to win a fiercely-contested North Gloucestershire League title race by a single point.

Rangers won their showdown away at title rivals Milkwall by 2-0 on Saturday in front of a massive crowd of 300-400.

They are now waiting for officials to confirm their promotion to the Northern Senior League.

Rangers finished the campaign just one point ahead of Milkwall and three points in front of longtime leaders Newent Town. Manager Adrian Cole raised a few eyebrows on the Hill at the start of the season when he elevated a string of talented youngsters into the firsts, ahead of more senior players. However, his faith in those players has been completely vindicated, with Rangers losing only once in the league all season.

"I just went with my gut feeling," said Cole.

"This is my second season running the firsts, but I managed the reserves for two years and saw a lot of these boys coming through."

Because of cup runs, Rangers spent most of the early season in the shadow of pacesetters Newent Town and Milkwall.

They put down a marker by beating Newent Town both home and away. Their only league defeat was way back on September 6, at home to Milkwall.

Cole added: "It's been an excellent season for the club – not just because we've won the league. We've fielded three teams all season and have got more good young kids coming through our junior teams.

"We also reached a County Cup semi-final."

A young frontline of Luke Brown, 17, and Luke Johnson, 20, led the Rangers title challenge and they scored a goal apiece in the win over Milkwall. Former Bristol City academy player Johnson, the son of ex-Cinderford midfielder Chris, scored 29 goals, with Brown netting 16.

The likes of skipper Brian Burke, Aaron Underwood, Matt Bluett and Joe Kilty also got better through the season.

Dave Walding and Paul Williams provided some experience to the mix – along with veteran 49-year-old Richard Creed, who looks ready for another crack at the Senior League at the age of 50.

Cole says Creed, a former Lydbrook, Harrow Hill, Ellwood and Cinderford Town midfielder, had an outstanding year and was in the side on merit.