Aldershot Town signed off their 2011-12 season with a 2-2 draw at Gresty Road, home of Crewe Alexandra, for whom the point was more than enough to see them into the League Two Play Offs.
With just 281 Shots fans amongst almost 7,000 in the Stadium, Dean Holdsworth's team played their part in a lively game and even dared to lead for much of the second half.
Crewe took the lead in the 4th minutes, thanks to Ajay Leitch-Smith's 8th goal of the season. On 26 minutes, Shots lost impressive young midfielder Aaron Morris to an ankle ligament injuury. He was replaced by Mark Molesley.
On the half hour mark, Crewe gifted Shots an equaliser when Harry Davis headed into his own net, following a Ben Herd free kick.
As the first half drew to a close, Mark Molesley picked up the ball 25 yards out an curled in a beauty to put Shots 2-1 up.
That lead should really have been extended in the 53rd minute, when breaking on goal, Adam Mekki rounded the Crewe goalkeeper, only to then shoot wide of the open net from just 6 yards.
The miss was to prove costly, as on 76 minutes, the home side levelled, Luke Moore's 25 yard effort deflecting off Troy Brown and into Jamie Youngs net.
By this stage, Oxford were 2-0 down at Poirt Vale and even if they had been defeated, Crewe would still have made the play-off's.
The remainder of the match passed without any key incidents and the point gained by Shots saw them finish in 11th place in League Two.
Shots: Young Herd Jones Brown Straker Mekki (Bergqvist) Vincenti Morris (Molesley) Payne Hylton Connolly (Risser) Subs not used Clement, Madjo. Att 6,919 (281 Shots fans)
FOOTNOTE: Congratulations to Dean Holdsworth, Matt Bishop and the entire ATFC playing squad and staff, on a highly satisfactory season. The 66 points Shots earned saw them fall just 6 short of a play off position. Add to that, financial stability and a wonderful Carling Cup run. Beating West Ham, knocking out two other teams from a higher level and then hosting Europe's finest.....the might of Manchester United at the EBB Stadium, not to mention the trip to Hillsborough, where Shots belied their League Two status for much of the 90 minutes against a side that today secured promotion to The Championship.
Shotsweb wish a swift recovery to Aaron Morris - we look forward to seeing you back in a Shots shirt next season, along with other long term absentees Alex Rodman, Ross Worner and Michael Rankine. We look forward to seeing the likes of Reece Connolly, Doug Berqvist, Jordan Roberts and Adam Mekki continue to develop under Deano and Bish. We look forward to hopefully a full season of goals from Guy Madjo, to hopefully seeing the likes of Danny Hylton, Ben Herd and Darren Jones signing new contracts and to welcoming the new signing's that Holdsworth indicated in his post match interview are on their way.
Most of all, we look forward to continuing our love affair with Aldershot Town FC, whoever pulls on the Red and Blue shirt!
On behalf of all at Shotsweb, to all Shots fans around the world, have a great summer and see you all aboard the Rollercoaster ride that will begin again in August!!