Door Panel Install Problem

[tsetsaf]

Hope you can help... Just completed the detail work on the inner door panels on my '71. Painted both the top metal catch and the main panel. Now as I try to slide the panel back in it will not slide in far enough to line up with the holes at the bottom.

I have tried tapping it with a rubber mallet while applying pressure to no avail. As a test I pulled the metal catch off and tested fitted, they slide together fine. Am I missing something?

Thx in advance