Poor, Poor, Pilgrims

Final Position: 23

Top Goalscorer: Drewe Brouhgton (8)

Player of the Season: Andy Marriott (Goalkeeper).

An extremely difficult decision with Broughton in amongst the goals, Francis Green often leading the line well and Jamie Clarke

Marriott...An ever-present

turning in some inspirational performances.

But, stopper Marriott has been a rock throughout a tough season for the Pilgrims.

Boston chief Steve Evans has been forced into making countless changes to the back four but throughout their season of transition Marriott has been an ever present making 49 appearances.

If only more players had shown his level of consistency, it could have been so very different for Bostin United.

Against Notts: Notts gained four points from the struggling Pilgrims this season. The Magpies will count themselves unlucky not to have claimed all six however. County carelessly threw away a 3-1 lead at York Street as the game finished honours even at 3-3. Jason Lee had led Notts to an inspired comeback early on. His fine brace and a goal from skipper Alan White put County 3-1 up after trailing 1-0.

Antony Elding and Francis Green bagged in the final quarter of an hour to lift the gloom from a poor start to the season for Boston.

The point did however extend Notts' run to seven away games without defeat.

At Meadow Lane, Notts chalked up a comfortable 2-0 win over the relegation threatened side. Lee was again in the goals as he and Matt Somner netted for dominant County.

Defining Moment: With off the field problems this season for the Pilgrims, it always looked as if it was going to be a season of trouble. And, it was no real surprise to see them scraping for their lives in the final games of the season.

But, with Torquay and Wrexham left to play in their final two league games, there was always a belief they could beat the drop. But their inability to take all three points from already relegated Torquay and surrendering a one goal lead away at Wrexham really sealed their fate.

When it mattered most, the Pilgrims fell short and for that they have paid the ultimate price. Life outside the Football League and forced into administration.

Highlight: Steve Evans managed to get young forward Albert Jarrett in on loan from Premiership outfit Watford and his impact was instant. He made five appearances for the Pilgrims scoring two goals. He looked a prized scoop for the Lincolnshire club. If only he could have extended his one month loan, again it could have been so different. Jarrett instead made a move to the MK Dons where his opportunities were limited. It was a bad move for both parties.

Boston may also look back on their 1-0 home win over local rivals Lincoln City as a fond League Two memory. Ex-Imp Francis Green was on the scoresheet to put a massive dent in City's hopes of automatic promotion.

Lowlight: Where do we start? Rumour has it that Boston players will not be paid for their last two months of the season and that they were treated awfully by the club they put their hearts into.

Whatever actually happened, we will never know but it is fair to say that the problems off the field were the root cause of their relegation season. Evans had to work on a next to nothing budget leaving him at times with only seven or eight fit available senior players.

On countless occasions, he was left to call on reserve and even youth players for a slice of action. Circumstances considered, it would have taken a minor miracle to rescue this doomed Boston team.

The Mad Verdict: Boston were destined for relegation from the outset and survival would have been the greatest of all escapes.

Their campaign has been made up of a series of blunders.

Financial problems have been present throughout and the loss of key players has seen the Pilgrims fight a never ending battle to avoid the drop.

Joachim and Jarrett both chucked in the towel- two players who perhaps were what Boston lacked. United never really found a goal

Evasns...Loyal boss to see out his contract

scorer with Broughton top of the list with just eight.

As the old cliché goes, goals win you football matches and they just never scored enough.

You don't win anything with kids and Boston's lack of first team players made it difficult for Evans to steer his team clear of trouble.

What's Next? Boss Steve Evans has vowed to see out the remainder of his contract at York Street despite interest from Chester City. Boston face a difficult summer ahead and will probably see most if not all of their first team players leave the club. The key to Boston's future is their urgency to re-build and gain automatic promotion back up to League Two.

It is feared that the longer it takes to return to the Football League, the harder it will become.

One bonus is the Pilgrims exploitation in the ruling of administration. As with Leeds United, Boston wisely chose to go bust before the end of the season, to prevent a ten point deduction for next season.

As for now, it's a new slate for the Pilgrims and after a five year stay in the old third division, Boston fans will be hoping the loyal if not sometimes comical Evans can master mind their immediate return.