Jack Clarke's late goal on Tuesday ended any lingering hopes of automatic promotion that Southampton fans had been clinging on to.
Ipswich Town will secure second spot with a home win against Queens Park Rangers on Saturday afternoon, while Southampton will be fighting for a high finish in the playoff places with a win away at Preston North End.
The result was disappointing for Southampton fans, but none of the players were ready for the post-match reaction that the St Mary's faithful gave them at full-time.
The Northam Stand was rocking
From well before kick-off, the Northam Stand had been rocking with the home end's unique brand of singalong numbers!
When the Saints went a goal behind in the 48th minute, courtesy of a Wes Burn strike, the Southampton fans just got louder.
Then, when Ryan Manning's free-kick somehow found its way into the Ipswich net, the place just went berserk.
The St Mary's crowd had been widely criticised earlier in the season for the lack of vocal support. Since the away fans have been moved to the far end of the ground, some Saints followers say, it has been hard to really drum up an atmosphere.
But with the Saints unbeaten in the league since mid-January, the Northam End of the ground has found its voice irrespective of the away support.
On Tuesday night, the St Mary's faithful nearly lifted the roof off when Cyle Larin poked home to put Southampton 2-1 up with only ten minutes left to play. As Larin slid towards the corner flag on his knees, a rendition of “Oh when the Saints“ drowned out pretty much everything that the Tractor Boys in the corner of the Chapel/Kingsland stand could muster.
Southampton fans sing to a visibly stunned squad
Despite the late goal from Clarke, Southampton fans were at pains to acknowledge the journey that Tonda Eckert's team have been on this season.
Visibly stunned, Taylor Harwood-Bellis and the rest of the squad stood applauding as the Southampton fans went through their full repertoire of songs and chants.
The transformation in support at St Mary's has been nothing short of sensational. That said, Saints fans have been treated to some special performances of late. The victory over Arsenal was a fantastic night, and the fans were sensational throughout.
At Wembley in the FA Cup semi-final, the TNT commentators (including Ally McCoist) were unable to speak as the Southampton fans celebrated Finn Azaz's 80th-minute opener.
As Southampton go into the playoffs (probably as slight favourites), they will need the full backing of the fans four more times. The semi-final home leg against West Bromwich Albion two years ago will last long in the memory of every fan who was there.
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