CHERRIES skipper Gemma Hillier believes it is “unfair” only one team will be promoted from their league this season, but added: “We can only concentrate on what we can do.”

Prior to Sunday’s meeting between the top two, Exeter City and Cherries had not dropped a point all season in Division One South West of the National League.

Leaders Exeter came to Ringwood with 12 wins from 12, while Cherries had racked up 10 wins from 10 under Steve Cuss.

The spoils were shared at Long Lane in a 1-1 draw, leaving things as you were in the title race with around half of the season to go.

With the rate both sides are going, there appears a decent chance the final game of the campaign, when the top two meet again in May, could well decide who clinches promotion to the Southern Premier, and who misses out.

Asked if she feels there should be more than one promotion place up for grabs, Hillier, speaking before Sunday’s result, said: “I’ve been in women’s football a long time and I’ve played in the National Premier League and exactly the same thing happened when I played for Portsmouth.

“We went through a whole season unbeaten, we got to a play-off against another team and we lost that play-off.

“So I think one team being promoted is unfair, but it’s the situation we’re in.

“We can only concentrate on what we can do and for us that’s winning every game.”

Hillier, 36, returned to Cherries at the start of this season after a spell away in Dubai. Since her previous stint at the club, there has been a bigger shift towards boosting the women’s team from new owner Bill Foley.

Asked if she can notice any differences, Hillier said: “I was here for a season before I went to Dubai and the change is massive, even just the attitude at training.

“The girls are so much more focused now, because Steve has kind of given them a foundation and a vision of where they could go.

“So we’ve got a very, very young squad and I know that, whatever age and personalities we’ve got in the squad, we’re all fighting to get promotion this season and beyond after that.

“We’re all pulling in the same direction.”

Cherries return to action this Sunday, hosting Torquay United (2pm).