The Stones were beaten in the race for fifth place by Kingstonian, who edged it by three points and a plus four goal difference.

However, Bartlett was eager to look at the bigger picture of another progressive season for Stones. Securing a place in the FA Cup first round, a Ryman League Cup final and sixth place in the Ryman Premier is not to be sniffed at, especially given the small budget Bartlett has long been accustomed to.

He, his coaching staff and many of the players still feel there is unfinished business and most of them, according to Bartlett, will be along for the ride again come August.

“Overall you have to say it has been a good season,” said Bartlett. “We have a young squad who can only learn and benefit from the experiences they have had this year.

“The important thing is none of them have intimated to me that they want to go. They are a good group with a great spirit and, from my point of view, the vast majority of them will still be here next season.”

Bartlett is confident of a more level playing field in terms of club's spending budgets next season and once again he aims to bring in a few new faces without breaking the bank.

“A lot of clubs will be cutting their budgets to our sort of level, which is good for us,” he added. “I am going to games all this week as you might come across a young player or someone you are not aware of. There will not be wholesale changes made to the squad but we will be tweaking areas where we need to improve.”

One of those areas is in attack. A lack of a cutting edge up front was evident all season and a striker with an eye for goal is priority. Meanwhile, the club will continue its policy of blooding their reserve players ready for first team duty. One of them, 17-year-old defender Reece Yorke has just been snapped up by League Two side Barnet on a one-year pro contract.

“I am disappointed he has gone but Reece is a genuine lad and I hope he goes on and does well for himself,” said Bartlett.

Stones finished the Ryman Premier season in sixth (65pts) with 17 wins, 14 draws and 11 defeats. They scored the same number of goals they conceded – 65.

We were this close: Stones boss Gordon Bartlett ponders what might have been at the final whistle on Saturday. Picture: Steve Foster/Wealdstone FC