A 3-0 defeat at Romulus saw Spalding United miss out on a place in the Evo-Stik League First Division South play-offs on Saturday, while Holbeach United clinched fourth place in the UCL Premier Division with a 1-1 draw against Harborough Town.
Victory was a must for the Tulips on the final day of the season, but they continued their recent poor form with a disappointing defeat at Coles Lane.
Joel Grandison put hosts Romulus ahead on 23 minutes, heading home a cross from Mathias Curley.
Lee Beeson launched a fine volley just wide as Spalding pressed for a leveller, but they trailed 1-0 at the break.
The Tulips then rode some pretty intense pressure early in the second period, before coming within a whisker of levelling when Michael Leary flicked Jamie Thurlbourne’s free kick towards goal.
Jack McGovern also missed a gilt-edged opportunity and Matty Nolan had an effort ruled out, only for Romulus to double their advantage when sub Jordan Francis buried another Curley delivery five minutes from time.
To rub salt into the Spalding wounds, Grandison added number three in added time courtesy of another Curley assist.
With Sutton Coldfield winning 2-1 at Norton United and Stafford Rangers 1-0 winners over Gresley, the Tulips would have taken fifth place and the final play-off position had then won. Instead, they end a hugely successful season in seventh.
Sutton Coldfield finish fourth, with Gresley taking the final play-off position.
Meanwhile, Holbeach got the point they needed to leapfrog Yaxley into fourth place on the final day of the UCL Premier Division campaign.
The Tigers fell behind at Carter’s Park when Ben Williams headed home Dan Knott’s cross for the easiest of openers on 20 minutes.
Holbeach responded well, though, and levelled nine minutes later when man-of-the-match Craig Parker rounded the keeper to slot into the empty net.
The Carter’s Park clash had a distinct end-of-season feel about it as neither side really performed – but Holbeach really should have taken all three points.
Skipper Jamie Clarke had three excellent chances to win the match after the break, the best of which seeing him smash over from close range after a great square pass from Parker.
Elsewhere, Pinchbeck United picked up a thrilling 4-3 win over Stilton United in the ChromaSport Peterborough Premier Division.
It wasn’t such a great day for Long Sutton Athletic, though, as they were beaten 1-0 at home to Ketton. The Magpies will finish bottom of the Division One table and will be relegated, barring any league restructuring.
On Friday night, Moulton Harrox Reserves were beaten by Baston in the final of the PFA Challenge Cup final.
Ben Allen had put Harrox ahead, but the game finished level at 1-1 before Baston prevailed 7-6 on penalties.
Results (Saturday, April 25)
Evo-Stik League
First Division South: Brigg Town 0 Carlton Town 0; Coalville Town 2 Rainworth Miners Welfare 1; Kidsgrove Athletic 2 Chasetown 0; Leek Town 0 Lincoln United 2; Loughborough Dynamo 4 Goole AFC 0; Mickleover Sports 1 Sheffield FC 1; Norton United 1 Sutton Coldfield Town 2; Romulus 3 Spalding United 0; Stafford Rangers 1 Gresley FC 0; Stocksbridge Park Steels 1 Newcastle Town 3; Tividale 0 Market Drayton Town 1.
ChromaSport UCL
Premier Division: AFC Kempston Rovers 0 Long Buckby AFC 1; AFC Rushden & Diamonds 3 Cogenhoe United 3; Deeping Rangers 1 Oadby Town 1; Eynesbury Rovers 1 Thurnby Nirvana 3; Holbeach United 1 Harborough Town 1; Northampton Sileby Rangers 2 Wisbech Town 3.
ChromaSport Peterborough League
Premier Division: Leverington Sports 3 Sawtry 1; Oakham United 6 Deeping Rangers Res 0; Pinchbeck United 4 Stilton United 3.
Division One: Kings Cliffe 2 Whittlesey Blue Star 1; Langtoft United Res 6 Coates Athletic Res 2; Long Sutton Athletic 0 Ketton 1; Sutton Bridge United 3 AFC Stanground 4.
Division Two: Coates Athletic A 0 Wittering 2; Crowland Town Res 5 Netherton United A 2; Peterborough ICA Sports A 0 Ketton Res 0; Spalding United Res 4 Parkside 6; Stamford Belvedere 1 Pinchbeck United Res 0.
Division Three: Coates Athletic B 4 Ramsey Town 1; Farcet United 3 Baston Res 1; Peterborough Sports A 3 Hampton Sport 1; Stilton United Res 0 Glinton & Northborough 1; Tydd St Mary 4 Ryhall United Res 2; Uppingham Town Reserves 2 Peterborough PL United 3.
Division Four: Leverington Sports A 0 Thorpe Wood Rangers 7; Oundle Town Res 1 Bretton North End 3; Stanground Sports 8 Holbeach Bank 0; Warboys Town Res 1 Eye United 10.
Division Five: AFC Stanground Res 5 Ryhall United A 0; Parkway Eagles Res 4 Netherton United B 0.
PFA Challenge Cup final (Fri): Moulton Harrox Res 1 Baston 1 (pens 6-7).
