CALLUM Booth and Spartans are already targeting success next season after coming agonisingly close to back-to-back promotions.

The capital club lost 4-3 in the League One play-off final to Dumbarton just 12 months after winning the Scottish Lowland Football League and gaining a spot in the Scottish Professional Football League.

Booth, 33, who made the switch from St Johnstone, where he won both the Scottish Cup and the League Cup, to the Edinburgh club in January, said: “It was definitely disappointing to get that far and lose out by one goal.

“It was disappointing, it really was, but, to be honest, they probably just about edged it over the two legs.

“After such a long, hard season to go out by one goal is disappointing. It would have been great to get promoted but it was not to be.

“We will have a bit of time off and go again and try to get promoted next season.

“Spartans have had some amazing results throughout the season. They beat Dundee United and they beat Arbroath, which got a game against Hearts live on the television. It was way better than anybody could expect – finishing third, narrowly missing out on promotion – but there were so many positive results over the season.

“It was absolutely amazing for a first season and surpassed any expectations.”

READ MORE: Double winner Booth delighted to sign deal at St Johnstone

Booth, who has lifted the Scottish Challenge Cup with Raith Rovers and celebrated a famous Scottish Cup and Scottish League Cup double with St Johnstone, is no stranger to the play-offs.

The former Knox Academy pupil has suffered more than his share of heartache in the end of season showdowns.

In May 2010, he was part of the Arbroath side that lost 2-0 to Angus rivals Forfar Athletic for a place in League One.

Then, in 2018, he was a member of the Partick Thistle team that lost 3-1 on aggregate to Livingston and was relegated from the top flight.

Finally, the following season, he was Dundee United’s left back as they lost out to St Mirren in a penalty shootout.

READ MORE: Callum Booth ready for next chapter at The Spartans

He said: “I think I have played in four play-offs and not been successful in one! I think I will stick to the cups – that’s where I have got my strong point, not the play-offs!

“I have never been promoted either so I will look to tick that off.”

That could be next season as Spartans, who also feature Haddington’s Paul Watson and Musselburgh’s Bradley Whyte, look to build on their impressive debut campaign in League Two.

Already, Booth has signed a two-year deal at Ainslie Park after leaving Premiership side St Johnstone. The defender, who began his career at Hibs, told Courier Sport that the move to part-time football was suiting every aspect of his life.

He said: “I was probably trying to juggle too much at St Johnstone with travelling, then trying to juggle my business and being a dad.

“It was pretty demanding and the move has only been a positive for me.

“To be honest, I am absolutely loving it.

“I still get to play football on a Saturday, in the changing room with the lads, but I get a lot more time to focus on the family and the business.”