On the Cross verdict: Saints 2 Leicester 0

George Burley made just the two enforced changes from the flowing team that were so unlucky to lose to Palace.

Alexander Ostlund came in for the injured Darren Kenton at right back, with Chris Baird moving inside to centre back to resume his promising partnership with Claus Lundekvam. The versatile Baird was only tried out at centre back because of an injury to Darren Powell against Millwall, but has been calm and assured alongside Claus winning far more than his share of headers.

If Burley wants to find a place for crowd favourite ‘Jesus is our right back' Ostlund, then Baird may well find himself an option for centre back next season. Certainly on current form he cannnot be left out of the side.

Ostlund responded well to his opportunity making some thunderous challenges, one of many Saints clearly up for the game, while many of the Leicester side looked to be half-way to their holidays.

The other change was another chance for 16 year old Gareth Bale and he certainly took it, with a much improved performance over his debut, showing skill, pace and no little strength given his age. He combined well with the excellent Andrew Surman, who put in a confident performance clearly revelling in his end of season run in the side.

After missing so many chances against Palace, Surman scored a deserved goal. The midfield put in a top notch display, passing and moving beautifully to rung rings around a physical Leicester side in the first half. Potter was at the heart of everything and looks a completely different player to the anonymous figure he was when he joined.

Up front Fuller and Rasiak continued their excellent partnership and both should have had more goals than the solitary strike by Fuller. Fuller put in one of the performances of the season, ending the season with a decent ratio of 9 goals from 21 starts, plus 2 in 3 starts for Ipswich. His journey from zero to hero has been one of the stories of the season and the crowd sung his name throughout.

So, this incredible season of highs and lows is finally over with Saints in top form with five wins out of six. The win moved us up to 12th and it is a pity the season is at an end with Saint on a real charge.

It has been a long time since I have been able to say it, but I thoroughly enjoyed watching Saints, who played with the confidence and swagger of earlier in the season, coupled with the goals we have lacked all season.

Some of the passing and moving, particularly from Darren Potter, were a joy to watch, combined with a real desire to fight for the ball that is so essential in this most physical of leagues. Yes, after the season we have had we shouldn't be getting carried away, but at least we can go into the summer on a high.

It was great to see four academy players, Baird, Surman, Bale and Dyer, not only in the line-up, but deserving their places through the strength of their performances. The Leicester manager admitted afterwards that they were short of their best, but Saints were at them from the start with Dyer's powerful drive onto the post the first of many chances in the first half.

The match was played out in front of a large crowd of 26,801 in one of the best atmospheres of the season. Leicester's large and vocal travelling support played their part, but the Saints fans were really up for this game.

It was also the final opportunity for fans to give their verdict on Rupert Lowe's tenure at the club to leave the board in no doubt as to their views on the coming boardroom shuffle in the summer.

The bulk of the crowd were on their feet singing ‘Stand up if you want Lowe out' with a display of unity in keeping with the memorable Ipswich game when the crowd finally turned. The Chairman is digging his heels in both in the match programme and on the club website, clearly believing that this season's ‘short-term difficulties' will all be forgotten come the big promotion push next season.

The crowd gave him a little reminder that they have long memories.

There was also much to note in the emotional player's lap of honour. Poignantly, a tearful Marian Pahars lagged 50 yards behind to enjoy a final farewell in a clear signal that his contract is not being renewed. It is a great shame with Saints still lacking a clinical striker that the Latvian wizard cannot be offered at least a pay-as-you-play contract, but clearly he has failed to impress Burley with form or fitness.

In the press conference afterwards Burley refused to be drawn on the future of his players only confirming that the list of retained players will be out next week.

One positive is that the bulk of the starting line-up will be here next season, in addition to some quality reinforcements, with Burley confirming that a number of offers have already been made for the summer. The only question marks over the futures of the starting eleven is reserve keeper Miller and Liverpool's Potter who will be keen to make his mark at Anfield given his present form. We hope that their loss will be our gain.

It's been a rollercoaster ride in the Championship. Let's hope that next season the ups outweight the downs. Like a politician's speech, we started and finished great, but the less said about the meandering in the middle the better. C'mon you reds.

Man of the Match: Simply wonderful performance from Ricardo Fuller who showed pace, control, strength and desire in his best game so far for Saints, scoring one and setting up the other. Could have had a hat-trick if he had more confidence in his left. Great story to see him go from zero to hero with the crowd chanting his name throughout.

Cameo of the day: David Prutton got a great reception when he came on after so long out injured. He got one of the biggest cheers of the day when he tore through the heart of midfield only to trip up on the ball with no one within ten yards of him.

Lemon of the day: The much heralded Matt Fryatt came wearing his holiday sandals rather than his shooting boots, missing some of Leicester's best chances.

Thorn in the side: Danny Tiato was a terrier in the Leicester midfield paying special attention to Nathan Dyer.