Tonbridge Angels 3 Dover Athletic 2

TONBRIDGE are going up. The Angels secured a place in the Ryman Premier League next season when they defeated Dover in the Division 1 play-off final at Longmead on Saturday.

Tony Dolby's team were 3-0 at one stage but Dover fought back and came close to forcing the match into extra time.

Shortly after the final whistle Dolby said: "It means everything. We have been gearing up for this all season long. We got our just rewards today. We have worked our socks off all year, from the tea lady right through to the chairman."

It was a huge disappointment for the hundreds of Dover supporters who made the trip to west Kent but on balance the Angels deserved their victory.

Angels striker Jon Main put Tonbridge ahead after 17 minutes and the home side went two up midway throgh the first half when a Fraser Logan cross glanced off defender Tony Browne's leg into the corner of the net.

At half time Angels introduced Mike Cramp for the injured Drew Watkins.

Dover's Tommy Tyne had a golden opportunity to pull one back for the east Kent club but his spot kick, awarded for handball against Alex O'Brien, hit the outside of the upright.

It appeared to be all over for Dover when Wade Falana headed home Tonbridge's third goal. But then the drama really started. Dover's Nick Humphrey made it 3-1 on 75 minutes and Falana was sent off following a second yellow card. He had already been booked for removing his shirt during his goal celebrations.

Dover kept coming forward and they were rewarded when Nick Humphrey fired home from the edge of the box to make it 3-2 on 86 minutes.

It was a tense finish for both clubs but Tonbridge just managed to hold on to their lead.

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