John Smith's PNE Fans' Panel verdict: Chequebook and pen needed after latest blankety blank

That game resulted in our team grinding out a 2-0 victory which saw us climb up to a play-off position in the table.

Throughout the season I have always thought that we have punched above our weight as far as being play-off candidates, although I had been extremely pleased about the position that we found ourselves in prior to kick-off.

I thought a lot of these points we had gained during this period were down to some immaculate displays by our goalkeeper Daniel Iversen, who surely must be one of our best – if not the best – free transfer signings of all time.

As it turned out we suffered a humiliating 4-0 defeat to two similar ones on our recent travels to this venue, and there was certainly no fun to be had ‘Down By The Riverside’ for the travelling faithful who had turned up in numbers in high spirits for this lunchtime shoot-out with high flying Boro.

They were in fine voice in the opening 10 minutes when we went on the front foot and had a couple of attacks which made me think that possibly Boro might be vulnerable and, despite some pre-match fears I’d had – it might after all be a memorable day.

Any such optimism was shattered shortly after when the home side took the lead, which was swiftly followed by a second goal, which made it virtually game over.

To make matters worse I personally would have expected both these goals to have been saved by our regular keeper.

Also it was the second successive occasion that our opponents’ opening goal had been scored by one of our former players who, in my opinion, were our best ones of season 23-24, idolised by most and had for some reason been allowed to slip away from Deepdale.

The reception former captain Alan Browne received from the fans who stayed on until the final whistle was far warmer than the one given to the team after such an inept and woeful display.

It was one which exposed all our weaknesses and why the team has needed strengthening. To expect Paul Heckingbottom to somehow find a team to challenge for the play-offs, having only spent £1.5million pre-season, is like asking a farmer to mow his field with the horsepower of a bargain Lidl garden strimmer.

Where we go from here is anybody's guess but after four successive blankety blanks I think that without the checkbook and pen coming out, it will only mean a downward spiral for our team, as I feel – as far as any aspirations of a play-off place are concerned – things unfortunately have reached the point of no return.