Grange captain Sanjay Patel has urged his team to have their heads held high despite relinquishing their Premier League title to Aberdeenshire.

The Edinburgh side won six of their last seven games to give themselves a fighting chance of retaining their crown, but it was to prove futile as their poor early season form ultimately left them too far adrift.

Grange had to beat Clydesdale and hope that Aberdeenshire lost to Uddingston, and although the Capital side recorded a last over win at Titwood, Aberdeenshire romped to victory to take the title.

Patel conceded Aberdeen were worthy winners but praised his team for their efforts during a difficult season.

“Credit to Aberdeenshire who managed to beat us twice which was when the damage was really done,” said Patel.

“All we could do was focus on winning and not give a thought to what Aberdeenshire might be doing until our effort was over.

“Unfortunately things didn't go our way but it has been such a disrupted season due to unavailability and injuries that if we had leapfrogged 'Shire on the run-in we would have surprised ourselves.

“In fact, it is probably no exaggeration to say we punched above our weight at times during a difficult season.”