"We always thought we should be clear of any relegation fears before the match so with other results going our way, and with a cup final to come, it wasn't a time for any excesses " said Spartans' Captain Peter Snowdon.

"We felt pretty safe before the game but at 3-0 down we had to keep going just in case we were dragged back in to the mire."

Following a match where the visitors' pass and move football was highly impressive and augured well for the forthcoming Northumberland Senior Cup Final against Newcastle Reserves on Wednesday night, Snowdon added: "We played some of the best stuff we've produced all season, fizzing the ball around and dominating possession.

"We were all shell-shocked to find ourselves 3-0 down, but we deservedly got back in the game and could have gone on to get a point, or even three, in the later stages."

Andy Johnson missed a couple of chances either side of half-time for Blyth but Snowdon was quick to defend the young forward.

"Andy is new to this level of football and although he started for us like a house on fire a little while back you've got to be realistic and know that he will take time to adjust and learn to have a little more composure on the ball."

Boston manager Tommy Taylor praised the opposition.

"Blyth could have won what was an open game.

"We let them back in it with two great goals and they certainly played the kind of game which you might expect from a team much higher up in the table."

The Spartans' style of play owes much to assistant manager Graham Fenton's exhortations to 'keep the ball moving', according to Snowdon.

Meanwhile the central defender was focused on the remainder of Blyth's season.

"The Newcastle match will obviously be a hard one, but a few of the lads and myself went to watch their game at Whitley Bay in the semi-final and we weren't bowled over by them.

"True they're quick, fit and comfortable on the ball – plus the fact that some of their players are worth tens of thousands of pounds - but we'll be there to win if at all possible!

"After losing the last two Finals we'll be giving everything we've got."

The Spartans' last league game of the season is at relegated Leigh on Saturday.

The players will be staying over in Manchester after the game for some "r and r" – rest and relaxation not, thankfully, relegation and regrets.

"It's been a long hard season," commented Snowdon.

"At the start manager Harry Dunn and Graham Fenton said it would be harder than last time round, and they were right.

"Having said that, I think we've performed a little less well than we could have expected and we certainly need to learn how to beat the poorer sides in the league next season if we're to end up in a higher position next year."