Manager Jimmy Quigley has refused to give up hope of Renfrew sneaking into the Championship next season.
The New Western Park side were edged out of the last promotion spot in Conference B on Saturday after Thorniewood beat Glasgow United 4-0.
There is still an outside chance Quigley’s side could sneak in as the strongest fifth-placed team across the conferences, depending on results elsewhere and one of the WoSFL Premier Division teams being promoted up to the Lowland League.
But the ‘Frew boss admits their slow start to the season has likely cost them the chance of competing in the second tier next season.
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Quigley told Express Sport: “We beat Ashfield 4-2 in our final game of the season and all we could do at that point was post a score.
“Thorniewood have overtaken us, but there’s still a chance we could be the best fifth-placed team if one of the Premier Division teams gets promoted.
“I’d fancy any of the top teams to make it into the Lowland League, especially the likes of Darvel and Talbot as they’ve got the squads to do it.
“We’re not counting our chickens, but the likelihood is our slow start to the season has cost us the chance of promotion.
“The start killed us. We had so many injuries, suspensions and covid issues.
“We’ve only lost one game out of 19 since I started though, so I can’t be too hard on the boys who gave the club everything they could.
“We drew a couple of games against Kello and Dalry and those points maybe would have been enough to see us grab fourth but it just wasn’t to be.”
Quigley is hoping to get the core of his squad signed up again for next season, whether they’re in the Championship or Division One.
He believes he’ll have no trouble in convincing his key players to stay put at New Western Park, with several already suggesting they’re keen to stay.
Quigley added: “I’ve been speaking to the boys already and a lot have intimated they’d like to stay on next season, regardless of which division we’re in.
“We’ve got a strong squad and I’m only looking to add a couple of signings over the close season to help strengthen us going forward.
“Hopefully the season next time around won’t be so front loaded, because playing two and three games a week was so tough in terms of injuries and covid.
“Fingers crossed it won’t be so tough on the lads next time around.”
Renfrewshire rivals Johnstone Burgh’s promotion hopes also hang by a thread after they were edged out of fourth spot in Conference A by Maybole Juniors.
Jamie McKim’s side still have two games left to play, with Barrhead side Arthurlie doing them a favour by beating fellow promotion hopefuls Craigmark Burntonians at Dunterlie Park 2-0 on Saturday.
Burgh face title-chasing Shotts Bon Accord at Keanie Park this Saturday hoping for a victory to boost their promotion chances.
