Faversham's superb season was brought to a shuddering early halt as they lost on penalties against Merstham in their Ryman League Division 1 South play-off semi-final.

The Lilywhites, who had won 30 league games, amassing 97 points in 46 games and scoring 111 times, had not been out of the top-three since August, but were unable to find a way through against the Moatsiders in a nervy game at the Shepherd Neame Stadium on Tuesday night.

The best chance of the game was probably their first on 19 minutes as defender Ashley Brown was presented with an open-goal in the six yard box after a Wayne Wilson free-kick caused havoc in the Surrey side's six-yard box, only for his left-footed effort to be hooked off the line by an outstretched leg.

The visitors came into the game and threatened through the likes of Tommy Hutchings, Taurean Roberts and Fabio Saraiva, but neither keeper was really tested during the 90 minutes infront of an engrossed crowd of 628.

Town substitute Josh Stanford did ensure Merstham keeper Brannon Daly muddied his kit with an angled shot which deflected inches wide with time running out, while Town stopper Rob French was quick off his line to deflect a looping Roberts effort wide.

In extra-time Wilson rattled the middle of the Merstham bar with a thundering free-kick from 30 yards while Maidstone United loanee Charley Robertson forced Daly into a flying save with spot-kicks looming.

In the end the first penalty was decisive as Daly flung himself to his left to stop sub Stuart King's effort, and after eight more successful attempts, midfield marshall Peter Adeniyi beat French from the spot to spark wild celebrations by the visitors and their vocal fans.