Maidstone boss Jay Saunders has admitted their title-winning success has yet to sink in.

Stones drew 0-0 at play-off chasing Dulwich on Saturday but were effectively crowned champions after second-placed Hendon were also held, at Grays.

However, Maidstone's vastly-superior goal difference means it would need a remarkable sequence of results for them to be overhauled.

"It's a bit of a strange feeling," said Saunders. "If they win their games Hendon can catch us on points.

"It hasn't sunk in yet and won't do until we get our hands on the trophy - I'm a bit speechless."

Saunders praised the whole of his squad after winning the Ryman League Premier Division title and, with it, promotion to Conference South.

"(The players) fully deserve everything they got," he said. "It's been a squad game, nothing sums that up more than Phil Starkey coming (in against Dulwich).

"I always try to make sure everyone was involved but we all try to pull for the same thing."

As for the battle at the top with big-spending Margate, Saunders admitted that he was never ruling out going for top spot despite the star names signing on at Hartsdown Park.

"I always felt we could compete with them," said Saunders. "They signed big names and took Zak (Attwood) off us. People looked at our signings and thought what are these?

"We've had some blows this season, like losing Alex Flisher (to injury), if he'd stayed fit we'd have won the league (before) now.

"As it went on I believed we were going to get near. It has been an amazing effort from Hendon to stop us winning it earlier."