Mansfield Town's play-off push was all too brief this season. But it has made defender Ritchie Sutton all the more determined for next term.
The Stags bring the curtain down on their campaign at Bristol Rovers today, with a mid-table finish firmly on the cards.
In their first year back in League Two, it is still considered a success, according to Sutton, but now he wants more.
Four wins in a row took Paul Cox's team to within touching distance of the top seven, until a 1-1 draw at Accrington Stanley, followed by successive defeats saw their hopes dashed.
Ironing out those blips, and avoiding a repeat of their 13-game winless run back in the autumn, is now the aim.
"I think we've got to look at the play-offs as a minimum," said Sutton.
"It shows how the season turned when we conceded a last minute penalty against Accrington, then all of a sudden we started playing badly.
"If we'd won that game, who knows where we would have been now. But it wasn't to be.
"Next season, we've got to learn from this and get that consistency, I think that will be the key; then, minimum, play-offs.
"We set our standards high at the beginning, so when we had that dip when we went 13 games without a win (in the league) – if we could have just picked up a couple of points there, we would have been in good stead for the play-offs.
"I think we've got to learn from that and get that consistency next season, then we'll be right up there."
Sutton hopes consistency in his own performances will follow.
In his third season at the One Call Stadium, he has benefited from making regular appearances.
And the 28-year-old also believes the manager's preference for a 3-5-2 formation has also helped his cause.
"Even though I'd played in the league before, I had been in and out of the team with the odd game here and there," said the former Port Vale man.
"I think I've played nearly 40 games this season, so it's been good on a personal note for me. "It's given me confidence knowing I can do it in this league.
"I think it's done me a favour playing three at the back because I'm halfway in between an out-and-out centre-half and a full-back, so that right side of the three is perfect for me.
"Whether we continue to go with the three is to be seen, but I think I've played well there and have played well even when we've gone to a four."
And with a year's option on his current contract, Sutton wants to further his progress with Mansfield.
"I want to get something sorted ASAP," he added.
"The gaffer knows I'm happy here and it's where I want to play my football, so hopefully we can get something sorted."
In the meantime, there is a game to be won.
Rovers are three points above the relegation zone and a draw would secure safety. But their visitors make the trip in search of a win.
"It's going to be a very tough game for us, but the main thing is we need to finish our season on a high," said Sutton.
"We don't want to be going into the close season disappointed. We need to show we know we've got a good chance of pushing for play-offs and promotion next season.
"We're looking to get a result; whether it sends them down or not, we're going to be looking to win the game."