Danny Kedwell cut a forlorn figure at the end of Saturday's play-off final.

Ebbsfleet's captain scored two penalties during the National South decider against Maidstone which finished 2-2 after extra-time at Stonebridge Road.

The former Gills striker stepped up again during the shoot-out which followed but with Fleet trailing 4-3, his spot-kick straight down the middle was kept out by Stones keeper Lee Worgan.

Kedwell said: "I went for power but he gambled and fair play to him.

"Not many goalkeepers would stand in the middle of the goal and put their arm out but that’s what he did and he’s won them the play-off.

"As soon as I get there, I know what I’m doing.

"Normally the third one’s the good luck one but that one wasn’t."

Ebbsfleet were on the verge of promotion to the National League until Dumebi Dumaka equalised for Maidstone with the match in added time at the end of extra-time.

Kedwell said: "I’m gutted because we were 20 seconds away from being promoted.

"It’s stupid things, we’ve just got to clear the ball. Three times we had the opportunity to clear the ball.

"It was a bit of luck for them, it fell for them and once they scored, we all knew it was only going one way. They had the luck going their way.

"We are the best team in this league but we didn’t perform in some games, which cost us.

"Twenty seconds to go and it cost us again. That’s where we’ve got to keep our heads and go again next year."