by Craig Tucker

Maidstone United are celebrating promotion after beating Faversham 3-0 in the Ryman League Division 1 South play-off final on Saturday.

A sell-out crowd of 2,226 at the Gallagher Stadium saw United clinch their return to the Ryman League Premier Division after a two-year absence.

Stones went in front on 11 minutes when a seven-pass move from left to right ended with Ade Olorunda meeting Michael Phillips' cross with a thumping header.

Former Maidstone striker Danny Hockton missed a golden chance to equalise after losing his marker from Toby Ashmore's cross.

But United regained control with Phillips blazing over after charging down Matt Bourne's attempted clearance.

Danny Lye pulled an effort wide from the edge of the box and Alex Flisher saw his near-post strike kept out by Simon Overland with Dan Stubbs' follow-up deflected wide.

Stones eventually doubled their lead on 35 minutes when Flisher's long throw was glanced home by Olorunda.

Faversham looked beaten and should have conceded again before the break but Phillips stroked the ball wide.

United continued to dominate after the break. Draycott had an effort blocked on the line by Bourne from Rory Hill's cross.

Chants of 'We are going up' broke out after substitute Alex Brown made it 3-0 on 68 minutes. He fed Hill whose cross was knocked down by Olorunda for Brown to stab home after Faversham failed to clear.

Substitute Paul Booth sent an effort wide and Phillips' last-minute chip hit the side-netting.

Maidstone: Mitten, Stubbs, Mills, Watt (Sobers 25mins), Andrews, Lye, Hill, Phillips, Olorunda (Booth 72mins), Draycott (Brown 64mins), Flisher. Subs not used: King, Ibrahim.

Faversham: Overland, Lacy, Maxted, Ashmore, Bourne, Peacock, Marsden, Wilson (Lawrence 58mins), Hockton (Oliver 74mins), Harvey, Botterill (Tenuye 16mins). Subs not used: Sherlock, Rowland.

Attendance: 2,226.