Small cap miners did well into the close with a batch seeing shares rises, including Canada focused nickel firm Landore Reosurces (LON:LAND), which added over 20% to 0.88p as the freefall in the metal's price may have stopped, according to commentators.
But on the indices, small cap stocks didn't move the needle much, in cmparison to FTSE100
Elsewhere, as traders digested Osborne's budget - the tax for sugarey drink makers , the fuel duty freeze and so on, FTSE AIM 100 lost o.01% to 3,352, while FTSE AIM All share lost 0.14% to 710.030.
FTSE100 gained 0.58% or around 35 points at 6,175, with Hikma Pharmaceuticals (LON:HIK) the big gainer, up 5.46% at 1,815p.
AG Barr PLC (LON:BAG), maker of Irn-Bru, lost some of its fizz, sinking 2.44% to 540.5p.
Sector peer Britvic PLC (LON:BVIC), down 1.34% to 699.5p.
Fevertree (LON:FEVR) lost 0.63% to 631p a pop.
PureCircle Limited (LON:PURE), the stevia ingredients producer, reacted positively to the development, as drinks makers could turn to its sweeteners as an alternative to sugar. Shares rose 6.75% to 411p.
Elsewhere, video editing group Forbidden Technologies PLC (LON:FBT) was still flying high, albeit off its high for the day of 15p. Shares flew over 25% higher to 11.625p as it agreed a deal with computer titan Microsoft over its Forscene platform.
The Forbidden deal sees the US firm sell Forscene through its Azure Marketplace - an online store that provides configured software applications, developer services and data for use on the platform.
Sirius Minerals PLC (LON:SXX), the potash mine developer, was ahead by 9.64% to 22.75p as investors await the release tomorrow of the definitive feasibility study on its huge mine site in the North York moors.
On the flip side, Leni Gas & Oil PLC (LON:LGO) was down 13.56% to 0.255p as it took another step to restore its finances with a £1mln equity raise and more settlements in shares with its suppliers. In both cases, shares were issued at 0.25p. An additional £0.30mln placing is dependent on shareholder approval.
Elsewhere in the resources sector, Pathfinder Minerals PLC (LON:PFP) shot up over 37% to 0.925p. The company is in discussions to appoint a potential new local representative in Maputo to assist Pathfinder in its dialogue with the Mozambique Government over the restoration of its mining licences 760C and 4623C.