Lancaster City 1 Redditch United 2 LANCASTER City's relegation fate was confirmed by Giant Axe defeat to Redditch United on Saturday - but they can now start planning in earnest for next year as the ghost of Charlie Moore is well and truly exorcised.

The Dolly Blues were never at ease this season from the moment the taxi driver turned chairman threw money the club could not afford at players and a manager who couldn't cut the mustard in the Conference North.

And while the latest 2-1 loss leaves City well and truly down, it is a crying shame they are stuck on minus points because the effort and endeavour of the local kids and new chairman Mick Hoyle and boss Barrie Stimpson surely deserves more reward.

Make no mistake, City will do well in whatever division the football authorities decide to put them in next season after in inevitable 10-point deduction kicked in following the club entering administration.

Lessons have been learned at City - but they are better off under their new regime rather than the previous and can take a step forward.

As always, Stimpson's men never threw the towel in against a Redditch side desperate for points in order to claw their way out of the drop zone.

But City took the lead as Lee Foxcroft raced clear onto Neil Uberschar's delicious pass to shoot beyond Richard Anstiss to raise hopes of a first home win of the Conference North campaign.

Then, just four minutes after that 36th minute effort, Redditch equalised as City suffered the heartache of an own goal from new keeper Ross Liddicott as he pushed a Simon Hollis corner into the net.

And the agony was complete 20 minutes from time when Hollis converted a twice-taken penalty to win the game and finally send City down.

They do not know where they will be playing next season but the future is bright at Giant Axe - maybe their luck will turn and they can claim a deserved win when they host Worksop on Saturday.

* THERE will be a sportsman's supper at the Dolly Blue on Monday, March 26 featuring former Manchester City star Steve Daley and top comic Lester Crabtree - and the pair make a formidable and funny partnership. Tickets cost £20.