Paul Chambers is delighted with Ashford United’s achievement in finishing Southern Counties East League runners-up for the second successive season.

United ended with a flourish, winning 5-1 at Fisher on Saturday, to secure second spot, eight points behind champions Phoenix Sports and three ahead of Erith & Belvedere.

A 15-match winning run from mid-November to March proved the highlight and the Homelands boss said: “We have done well.

“I am proud of the players. It’s been a great season and I am happy with everything they have done.

It has been my first season working with (assistant player-manager) Lloyd Blackman. We have got on like a house on fire and it’s been superb.”

He added: “We were miles behind Phoenix and Erith at one point, then went on that winning streak – not just unbeaten and all credit to the players for what they did in the second half of the season which has been the best in the league.

"It just goes to prove and I know I keep harping on about it, that the start of the season cost us.”

Chambers revealed that four players were carrying knocks at Fisher. Tom Scorer was struggling with his thigh, while Gary Mickelborough, Jamie Collado and Darren Marsden were hampered with back, groin and hip problems.

Meanwhile club record scorer Stuart Zanone will find put on Saturday if he clinches the Southern Counties East League Golden Boot.

Zanone has 41 League and Cup goals - which count towards the award - three more than Mohammed Eisa of Greenwich Borough.

He who has one last chance to overtake him when Greenwich Borough face Tunbridge Wells in the League Cup Final at Welling on Saturday.

United hold their annual presentation awards night at Homelands on Saturday week (May 9).