Facing on-form Nantwich Town, the Gingerbreads put in arguably their best performance of the season.

A 74th-minute Jason Turner goal gave Grantham a brief lead, but their Cheshire opponents struck back immediately and snatched the winner with two minutes to play.

Boss John Wilkinson said: "We knew we would have to be tight and I think we had an equal share of the game, and got on top top in the second half."

"It was a terrific performance and a bit of a choker to concede like that. It was gut-wrenching."

The Gingerbreads had booked their spot in the play-offs at The Meres on Saturday when they beat Kidsgrove Athletic in their final league game of the season.

The win sparked celebrations not seen for years from the team and supporters alike.

Other results dictated the trip to third-placed Nantwich, to where close on 100 of the Grantham faithful travelled to cheer on the Gingerbreads.

Chairman Roger Booth said: "We went with high hopes. The players were fired up and it was a great game of football.

"I would like to thank all the fans. We have had great away support all season."

Town's first year in Division One South was a bit of a roller-coaster ride. After a steady start, a major dip in November saw them lose five out of seven games.

Grantham suffered another poor spell between just before Christmas and the end of January, when they lost six out of eight matches.

But they bounced back with four straight wins in February, warranting the club of the month award, and enjoyed a memorable 6-0 thrashing of promoted Cammell Laird in March.

Wilkinson said: "I think the club disrespected the league in a way. It was better than we expected it to be.

"The chairman said to me at the start of the season that he wanted to restore a bit of pride at Grantham Town.

"I think we have done that and hopefully we can build on it next season."

A second year in the Unibond Division One South will mean two more local Derbies for Grantham.

Wilkinson's former side Lincoln United finished bottom of the Premier Division and Stamford Town have also been relegated.

Mr Booth said: "We hoping to retain most of the squad and have a couple of the reserves coming through.
"We are already making plans, it should be a more interesting season."