More on KentOnline
Hythe set up an all-Kent Isthmian South East play-off semi-final at Ramsgate as they earned a fifth-placed finish on Saturday.
A six-match winning run has seen them edge ahead of sixth-placed Cray Valley and Sheppey, in seventh, the latest of which saw Steve Watt’s side beat third-bottom Haywards Heath 4-0 at Reachfields.
Johan Caney-Bryan, Jack Steventon and Liam Smith had already put them three goals to the good before Heath’s George Brown was sent off.
Player-coach Frannie Collin added a fourth from the penalty spot six minutes from time.
They edged ahead of Cray Valley and Sheppey, who drew 2-2.
Frontman Warren Mfula looked to have put The Ites on course for a play-off berth for much of the game.
But late drama saw the Millers level through Daniel Bennett and they then appeared on course for a top-five finish themselves when Ade Adeyemo netted, only for playmaker Eddie Allsopp’s equaliser for Sheppey to - ultimately - leave both teams settling for a point which didn’t do either many favours.
Jamie Coyle’s Rams will host Hythe at Southwood, having claimed the runners-up spot with a 2-1 victory at Ashford.
Striker Rowland Liburd gave the visitors the lead at Homelands and, although fellow frontman Gary Lockyer got the Nuts & Bolts level, winger Ashley Miller claimed the all-important third goal.
Tommy Warrilow’s team also had full-back Bradley Simms sent off in the last 10 minutes.
Champions Chatham won 4-1 at Littlehampton.
They led by two goals through returning Dan Bradshaw and fellow frontman Ashley Nzala and, although the home side pulled one back, two more late efforts in the final 10 minutes from Paris Lock and Che Krabbendam made it eight consecutive victories in all competitions for Kevin Hake’s troops.
Freddie Parker was at the double for eighth-placed Sevenoaks in a 3-3 home draw against Chichester. Solomon Baugh had earlier put the Oaks ahead.
Sittingbourne’s 12-game unbeaten streak ended with a 3-1 loss at Lancing despite a late effort from Chaynie Burgin which proved little more than a consolation.
Second-bottom Faversham finished in style with a 4-0 home win over Three Bridges.
Frontman Shola Ayoola got two at Salters Lane while centre-half Oliver Gray and left-back Matt Parsons also were on target.
VCD will be involved in a promotion-relegation play-off game as they drew 2-2 at East Grinstead.
They trailed 2-0 but strikes by Tolu Jonah and Muraino Banjoko got them level.
Corinthian finished bottom of Isthmian South East despite earning a 1-1 draw at third-placed Whitehawk, who will host Beckenham in the other play-off semi-final in midweek.
Josh James equalised after they had trailed at half-time.
Cray Wanderers snuck into the Isthmian Premier top five despite a 2-2 draw at Haringey in front of a crowd just over 800.
Neil Smith’s side raced into a two-goal lead through Dan Bassett and Tom Derry, only for the Wands to be pegged back with efforts either side of the interval. They’ll visit second-placed Hornchurch in their play-off semi-final clash.
Folkestone finished their campaign with a 2-0 defeat at Bognor.
They trailed to a single goal and the hosts added a late second.
Isthmian Premier champions Bishop’s Stortford ensured Kevin Watson’s spell as boss of relegated Herne Bay ended in a heavy 5-0 home defeat.
Even two goals from striker Harvey Smith were not enough for 17th-placed Margate who were beaten 3-2 at home by Potters Bar.
Their campaign isn’t over quite yet, though.
They will play Chatham in the Kent Senior Cup Final at Gillingham’s Priestfield Stadium on Wednesday, May 3.