Reaction from Cray Valley manager Steve McKimm following 2-2 draw in Isthmian South East title battle at Ramsgate

Steve McKimm could afford to smile despite Cray Valley missing the chance to take full control of the title race.

The Millers, 2-0 up at Ramsgate with five minutes left, looked set to go three points clear in Isthmian South East and preserve their remarkable 100% away record.

That would have left them needing four points from their final three games to clinch the championship.

But title rivals Rams salvaged a 2-2 draw to stay top on goal difference, having played a game more.

Cray were so close to victory but a point was no disaster, with their fate in their own hands.

Millers boss McKimm said: “I’m disappointed we didn’t win but I’m happy we’ve got a point.

“We didn’t have to win today’s game.

“I didn’t let the players know that but I knew it.

“If we’d won it would have given us more of an advantage going into the last three games but it was more important for Ramsgate to win because we’ve got the game in hand.

“So if we mirror their last two results and we win our game in hand (at Hythe on April 23) then we win the league.

“That’s easier said than done, because three games in a week is tough, but we’ve got the squad to cope with that.”

Cray Valley struck either side of half-time - Kyrell Lisbie and Freddie Parker the scorers - to take charge at Southwood.

Jordan Green and Alfie Paxman secured a point for Ramsgate but McKimm was the happier of the two managers.

“I couldn’t speak for Ramsgate but I know what we prepared our boys for in training and what we set out to do to try and exploit some of their weaknesses and cope with some of their strengths,” said McKimm.

“There were no nerves. I don’t put nerves into players. There shouldn’t be nerves playing football. It’s a game you should enjoy and flourish in. Once nerves