BLACKSTONES boss Tony Lowther is hoping his side don’t look back and regret their missed opportunities as the club’s most successful ever UCL Premier Division campaign ended in disappointing fashion at Westwood Road on Saturday.

Stones needed to win their last league game under Lowther to clinch the runners-up spot behind Stotfold, but a tame finale saw them end the season in fourth place.

And, despite lifting the Lincolnshire Senior Trophy, reaching the final of the Hinchingbrooke Cup and having their best-ever FA Vase run, Lowther hopes his young charges don’t rue what might have been.

He said: “We have had a good season, but it could have been a very good one.

“The young players have really progressed, but I just hope that they don’t look back in a few years and regret what they could possibly have achieved.”

Having already beaten St Ives three times this season, Lowther was disappointed that they couldn’t end their league campaign in style on Saturday.

He added: “We were shocking and got what we deserved.

“We looked tired, uncohesive and it just didn’t happen for us.

“I was very disappointed on Saturday night but, having had time to look back, who really remembers who finishes second, third or fourth.

“Everybody will be able to remember next season who won the title, but they wouldn’t be able to tell you who finished in the other places.”

Stones had an early chance on Saturday with Ashley Stevens firing wide after combining with Ross Watson while at the other end Liam Kennett rounded off a fine run with a shot wide of the target.

A good spell for Blackstones saw Andy Boome’s 25-yard shot comfortably collected by Carl Mackney while Richard Jones headed wide from Dan Cotton’s free-kick.

Scott Fielding had a chance for St Ives, latching onto a Kennett flick, but Ian Flavell saved bravely while at the other end a rasping drive from Phil Stebbing was just too high.

Jones squandered another setpiece chance from Kevin Ainslie’s corner before the Saints broke the deadlock after 44 minutes.

Max Francis-Johnson’s through ball sent Fielding away on the right and he held play up for Francis-Johnson to continue his run to the far post where he headed home the centre.

Stebbing was posing the visitors’ main threat and, when his great run was halted illegally by Steve Poore after 56 minutes, Cotton confidently scored from the spot.

A well-worked goal restored St Ives’ lead after 63 minutes.

Dan Moyes threaded a pass out to Francis-Johnson on the left, his cross picked out Fielding who almost had too much time to steer his shot home despite Trevor Smith’s attempt to clear off the line.

Fielding missed a great chance to wrap up the win after more good work by Francis-Johnson but Flavell came to Stones’ rescue with the save and, when Fielding regained possession to tee up Carl Foreman, the Saints substitute put his shot wide.

Stones: Flavell, Blowers (Kennedy), Smith (Hussey), Sheehan, Jones, Boome (A.