AFC Wimbledon assistant manager Terry Skiverton expressed his delight at his side’s 1-0 away win over Grimsby which saw them make the League Two play-offs.
Dons manager Johnnie Jackson was serving a touchline ban and watched from the stands at Blundell Park, but despite not being close to his team, they got the job done to extend their season.
A draw would have been enough for Wimbledon, but Sam Hutchinson’s 53rd-minute strike was enough to give them the win which saw them finish fifth as Notts County lost to champions Doncaster.
“We’re delighted,” said Skiverton. “We had a game plan coming to a tough place to play against a strong team, and we did our job.
“It was a closely-contested game that we knew was going to be decided by fine margins or in one or two moments, and [Sam Hutchinson] comes up with the goal.
“The first half was tough for us, but we got through it level, and once we got in front, I thought we saw the game out really well.
“It’s a great feeling [to be in the play-offs], but now we have an opportunity that we need to make the most of.”
The Mariners made a bright start to the game, with captain Danny Rose spurning a golden chance to put them in front, but they did not provide a fierce enough response to going behind.
They knew they needed to beat their opponents to get into the play-offs themselves.
For David Artell, it was a near miss for his team, climbing from a 21st-place finish last term to ninth this time, two points off Chesterfield, who claimed the final play-off spot with a win at Accrington.
“There’s obviously huge disappointment to miss out,” said the Grimsby boss.
“Over 46 games, the table doesn’t lie, and it’s reflective of where you’re at.
“Obviously, the bigger picture is that we’ve made huge strides [this season] and we’ve got to continue that upward trajectory.
“We were certainly the better team in the first half. Whoever did get their noses in front was likely going to see out the game, and unfortunately, it has gone against us.
“They’re the fine margins, and we didn’t have enough to break down the most stubborn defence in the league.
“It’s a disappointing way to end the season, and we don’t want to just say: ‘We’ve come a long way’.
“If we’d taken our chances today, then we would’ve got over the line, but the ifs, buts and maybes don’t mean anything to us right now.”
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