Two goals from Charlie Lee ensured Gillingham finished their 2011/12 campaign with a victory against Morecambe at Priestfield.
A goal either side of the break from Lee helped Gillingham to a victory that sees them finish eighth in League Two, just outside the play-offs.
Crewe took the last of the play-off places with a 2-2 draw at home to Aldershot, whilst Gillingham leapt over Oxford United who lost 2-0 at Port Vale.
Meanwhile, Crawley Town were promoted to League One alongside Swindon Town and Shrewsbury with a 1-0 win at Accrington, whilst Hereford United were relegated to the Conference despite beating Torquay United 3-2 as Barnet won 2-1 at Burton Albion.
Having promised changes, it came as a surprise that Gills boss Andy Hessenthaler made just the one enforced change with the fit again Jack Payne replacing the injured Chris Whelpdale (groin).
Morecambe had the better of the opening exchanges and somehow contrived to miss scoring the opener when Jordan Burrows failed to connect with Lewis Alessandra’s right wing cross.
Back down the other end, Burrows was in the right place at the right time to deny Danny Kedwell as his goalward stab was cleared off the line following goalkeeper Barry Roche’s poor punch clear.
Gillingham only had to wait a further three minutes to take the lead though when the ball came back out to Charlie Lee after a corner and he made no mistake slamming the ball home from over twenty yards out.
The home side almost doubled their lead in first half stoppage time when Jo Kuffour found himself in space, but Roche was off his line quick to smother the Gills striker’s shot.
The second half was much like the first as Morecambe spurned chance after chance with Burrows the guilty party again as he must have left his shooting boots somewhere north of the Watford Gap.
Twice Burrows contrived to miss when it seemed easier to score as Morecambe let Gillingham off claiming an equaliser.
With Lewis Montrose off along with Jo Kuffour (possibly for the last time in a Gills shirt), on came Danny Spiller and Rowan Vine. The introduction of the pair gave the home side a renewed sense of urgency and the second goal came with fourteen minutes left on the clock.
Candidate for Player of the Season, Danny Jackman played a great ball into the path of Lee who made no mistake slotting the ball under Roche for his 6th goal of the season.
At 2-0 up Gillingham were comfortable, although there was one scare when former trialist Chris McCready’s close range shot had to be cleared off the line by the ever reliable Jack Payne.
Payne was to be withdrawn moments later as youngster Alex Brown was handed his debut for the club.
In the end, Gillingham won the game at a canter, but unfortunately it was a win too late for their promotion hopes. If only they’d have won just one more throughout the season. If only.
FULL TIME: GILLINGHAM 2-0 MORECAMBE
Gillingham line up: Gazzaniga, Fish, Martin, Essam, Frampton, Lee, Jackman, Montrose (Spiller 61), Payne (Brown 83), Kuffour (Vine 71), Kedwell.
Subs not used: Flitney, King.
Goals: Lee (18) & (76).
Booked: Lee (25).
Morecambe line up: Roche, Haining (Cowperthwaite 23), Reid, Hunter, Alessandra (Mwaslie 68), Burrow, McCready, McDonald, Parrish, Redshaw (Parkinson 56), Carlton.
Subs not used: Kettings, McGee.
Booked: Haining (9), Alessandra (44).
Referee: Mr Sutton
Attendance: 4,382 (76).