The 2003-04 campaign delivered another agonizing near-miss for Lincoln City, as The Imps finished a competitive 7th in the final Third Division season, securing a consecutive play-off spot. Leading the charge was the Supporters Player of the Year, Gary Fletcher (who later became Taylor-Fletcher), whose 16 league goals proved vital. It was a resilient season under manager Keith Alexander that tragically ended in a play-off semi-final defeat to Huddersfield Town (4-3 on aggregate), cementing this year as a defining chapter in their infamous run of five straight play-off appearances.