Southport were crowned champions of Blue Square North after managing to stay that one point ahead of neighbours Fleetwood Town, who did their best by winning 2-0 at home to Stalybridge Celtic.
However, if `Port could beat Eastwood Town at Coronation Park, then it didn`t matter what Fleetwood did – and that`s exactly what happened.
Matt McGinn gave Southport the boost of an early 8th minute lead that Chris Simm eventually added to 5 minutes after half time.
And when Mark Lever added number three 20 minutes from time, the big travelling support in the 1,147 crowd could begin to celebrate.
Sean Clancy did his best for the majority in the massive 3,011 crowd at Highbury. He bagged a brace for the Cod Army, breaking the deadlock after 57 minutes and then adding a second 12 minutes from time.
However, it`s the play-offs for Fleetwood now. And they were joined in the semi finals by Droylsden, who trailed Corby Town and Hinckley United at the start of play.
However, the Steelmen, having played their final game in midweek, could only watch and sweat as the results came in – which eventually saw Droylsden hammer third-bottom Redditch United 6-1 and the Knitters go down to a 3-2 defeat at an Alfreton Town side already assured of their top five spot.
It was a special day for the Bloods` Tony Gray, who grabbed four of the home side`s six goals, including two penalties, with Alex Meechan and Paul Smith also on target.
At the Impact Arena, Adam Webster gave Dean Thomas` side a good start with the opening goal after just 9 minutes.
But Liam Hearn equalised after 23 minutes, Ian Ross gave them the elad on 40 minutes and Hearn made it 3-1 right on the stroke of half time.
Dan Dillon pulled one back for the Knitters after 65 minutes, but they were unable to find a leveller that, in the end wouldn`t have been any use anyway.
They were the only issues left to fight for apart from pride and final placings in the table.
Harrogate Town and Vauxhall Motors` final games before presumably going into the UniBond League next season both ended in victories.
Town beat Northwich Victoria 2-1 at Wetherby Road with a David Syers brace on 9 and 56 minutes outgunning Steve Connor`s 27th minute reply, while at Rivacre Road, Jon Adams put managerless AFC Telford United ahead after 26 minutes.
Brian Moogan equalised 4 minutes after the interval and a Paul Brown double on 52 and 88 minutes sealed Motors` success.
Amari Morgan-Smith scored the only goal of the game after 69 minutes to earn Ilkeston Town a 1-0 win at Gloucester City, while James Hunt after 32 minutes and top scorer Luke Beckett on 58 minutes were the Gainsborough Trinity marksmen in a 2-0 Northolme win over Blyth Spartans.
Hyde United against Solihull Moors and Workington v Stafford Rangers both ended in 1-1 draws, with Will Arnold giving Hyde the lead after 39 minutes at Ewen Fields and Lee Downes equalising on 67 minutes for Moors, while Nick Wellecomme put Stafford in front after 28 minutes at Borough Park and Jonny Wright equalised just past the hour-mark.
