Stevenage moved a step closer to achieving a League One play-off berth with a 1-0 victory over Barnsley at the Lamex Stadium.
Alex Revell's men knew a win in their game in hand would put them in a glorious position to finish in League One's top six having occupied a play-off spot for the majority of the season.
On a night where Stevenage could easily have scored three or four, Dan Kemp's first half strike at the near post proved to be the difference and ensured Boro are still in command of their own destiny heading into the final two matches of the campaign.
Operating on a budget dwarfed by their nearest pursuers Luton Town and Plymouth Argyle, finishing in the top half of League One should be considered an impressive accomplishment in itself.
But given the Hertfordshire club commenced the season in extraordinary fashion by winning eight of their 10 matches, to drop out of the top six at this stage of the campaign would be a bitter disappointent, even for an outfit that has never competed higher than the third tier of English football.
Finishing sixth would equal Stevenage's best-ever finish since the club was founded in 1976, replicating the feat of the 2011/12 team that reached the League One play-off semi-final before bowing out following a 1-0 aggregate defeat to Sheffield United.
How Stevenage can secure a League One play-off spot against Doncaster
Stevenage's triumph over Barnsley means Boro possess a three-point lead over Luton Town in seventh and a four-point advantage over Plymouth Argyle in eighth.
Revell's side travel to the Eco-Power Stadium on Saturday to face Doncaster Rovers, whose League One status was secured last weekend following a 3-1 victory over Northampton Town.
If Stevenage beat Doncaster in Saturday's lunchtime kick-off, their top six status will be secured if Luton fail to beat Barnsley at Kenilworth Road. Plymouth's result against Port Vale will not matter if Stevenage do win as they will hold a minimum four-point lead over the Pilgrims with one fixture remaining.
Even a draw against Stevenage might be enough to achieve a play-off spot providing Luton lose to Barnsley and Plymouth fail to beat Port Vale.
