St Neots Town Football Club's twelve-year stay in the Northern Premier League Midlands Division has come to an end following a humiliating 6-1 relegation play-off defeat to Lye Town.

A four-goal-second-half blitz from Lye and a hattrick from man-of-the-match Josh Hesson consigned St Neots to a damning home defeat, compounded also by a late red card to Tom Dickens, as St Neots saw out the season with 10 men.

Lye Town had finished second in the lower Midland Football League Premier Division and had only been beaten six times in away matches this season. 

The Hunts Post: A Lye Town player consoles a St Neots player at the end of the game.A Lye Town player consoles a St Neots player at the end of the game. (Image: David Richardson/Rich In Video)

In contrast, St Neots had only won once in their last eight matches since March and were a side lacking in form and confidence, which showed in their performance during their defeat.

It was a bitterly disappointing end to the season for St Neots, and manager Iain Parr said: "We got what we deserved today - nothing."

The Hunts Post: The St Neots player reflect on what could've been following the defeat.The St Neots player reflect on what could've been following the defeat. (Image: David Richardson/Rich In Video)

St Neots could not have suffered a worse start as inside the first minute, the visitor's defender Adam Meacham rose above the St Neots defence at a corner to head home the cross.

Then, after 18 minutes, Lye doubled their lead when a long ball found Hesson unmarked at the far post for a simple finish.

The Hunts Post: A strong crowd came to the game and supported St Neots throughout the game and past the final whistle.A strong crowd came to the game and supported St Neots throughout the game and past the final whistle. (Image: David Richardson/Rich In Video)

St Neots rallied and had a couple of chances saved either side of halftime, but Lye got their third on 52 minutes in their first second-half attack, effectively extinguishing St Neots' hopes of a comeback.

READ MORE: St Neots u18s crowned county cup winners following comeback penalty shoot-out win

Now well in control, Lye added two more goals in the 61st and 74th minute before St Neots' Callum Anderson netted a consolation goal on 78 minutes.

Defender Dickens then picked up a second yellow card reducing St Neots to ten men, and appropriately, Lye then had the final word when man-of-the-match Josh Hesson completed a memorable hat trick in the 88th minute.

It was a sad end to a poor season for St Neots, who will now have the opportunity to regroup and plan for life at the lower level once the FA groupings are announced in mid-May.