THEY showed heart, passion and pride but ultimately, it all counted for nothing.
Altrincham crashed out of the Conference after managing just a 0-0 draw in their must-win, final day clash with Aldershot.
More than 2,000 people had packed into Moss Lane, hoping to watch Graham Heathcote engineer another great escape for the part-time club.
But instead they suffered only disappointment.
As the final whistle sounded, Alty's disconsolate players slumped to the turf, while on the terraces, heads were lodged firmly in hands - all of them left wondering what might have been.
It could easily have been so different.
The Robins had been reliant on results elsewhere going their way and with both Stafford and Grays faltering, a single goal would have fulfilled their dream of survival.
But while the players' attitude was spot on, they were crucially found wanting elsewhere.
Alty lacked precision and composure, meaning that no matter how much they bombarded the Aldershot goal, the ball never found its way into the back of the net.
Chances came and went and it soon became clear to everyone inside Moss Lane that it was going to be one of those days.
Heathcote's side did at least go down fighting.
Right from the off, they tore into the visitors, playing the kind of football that has too often been absent of late.
An early goal would have been the perfect way to calm any lingering nerves and within the first 10 minutes they had three clear chances to grab just that.
Colin Little screwed one effort wide of the mark, while Peter Band fared little better, shooting straight into the arms of Shots' keeper Nikki Bull inside the penalty area.
But the best opening came when Rod Thornley found Robbie Lawton in space 10 yards out and with the goal at his mercy, frustratingly the midfielder fumbled.
Aldershot barely managed to stem the red and white tide, although Ricky Newman did give the home side something to think about.
After creating space on the edge of the area, he picked his spot and flashed a rasping effort just wide of the post.
Alty suffered a major blow with the loss of keeper Stuart Coburn to a back injury after just 16 minutes, but they were soon back on the front foot and a moment of brilliance from Little almost provided the breakthrough they so desperately needed.
The Robins' leading goalscorer beat two men on the by-line before squaring for Steve Bushell, whose mishit shot was cleared off the line.
With the home side throwing so much into attack, opportunities began to appear for Aldershot on the break - none more presentable than that which fell to Ryan Williams.
The goal was gaping when Dean Smith's cross reached him at the far post but, stretching out a leg, the little midfielder could only manage to divert it wide.
There was no let up in the Alty onslaught after the break, however.
Little had another shot cleared off the line, this time by Rhys Day, before both Lawton and Thornley saw attempts from close quarters come to nothing.
Bushell also saw his chance to become the Alty hero slip away as a botched clearance reached him in acres of space on the edge of the area and he could only fire a dipping volley wide of the post.
The chances continued to come and when Lawton got in down the left with 12 minutes remaining, it looked to be game over.
But with men lining up in the middle, he decided to go for goal instead and a tame effort was saved by Bull.
An injury to Ryan Scott put a major dampener on what had been an entertaining game. An almighty snap was heard after the Shots' midfielder went in for a tackle with his namesake Gary Scott and he was taken to hospital with a broken leg.
Undeterred, however, Alty still had a major chance to win the game in the last minute of normal time.
Of all the people you would want the deciding chance to fall to, Little is the man. But when Bull made a complete mess of a backpass, the super striker sent his shot wide of the open net - it would have been easier to score.
Six minutes of injury time momentarily gave the home fans hope but for all their efforts, Alty could not force another opening.
Instead, Aldershot almost clinched the game when Kirk Hudson incredibly fired over an open net after Darren Barnard's effort had been saved by Richard Acton.
It was a disappointing way to end what had once been such a promising season. With this kind of spirit, however, it should not be long before Alty are back where they belong.