Ashford United 0 Herne Bay 2 - Isthmian South East play-off final match report: Kieron Campbell and Aaron Millbank's penalty earn Bay victory at Homelands

Herne Bay earned promotion to Isthmian Premier for the first time in the club’s history as they beat Ashford in the Isthmian South East play-off final on Saturday.

Winger Kieron Campbell broke the deadlock after a goalless first half before substitute Aaron Millbank won a penalty which he converted himself to seal the 2-0 victory.

Bay made a good start to an entertaining and fairly end-to-end first half in front of a bumper 1,865 crowd at Homelands.

With three minutes played, the dangerous Rory Smith drove forward for Bay who had booked their final berth with a shoot-out success against Haywards Heath after a 3-3 draw. But he couldn’t quite pick out top scorer Zak Ansah.

Soon after at the other end, Gary Lockyer threatened for the first time, seeing his effort well blocked.

Ashford striker Lockyer again troubled the visiting defence in the sixth minute as he tried to add to the incredible 37 goals he has already got for the campaign but Bay goalkeeper Jordan Perrin palmed the ball away to safety.

Referee Abigail Byrne dismissed Herne Bay penalty appeals for handball in the ninth minute, with Mike West having directed a Smith corner towards goal before a United player intervened.

The 12th minute saw Herne Bay’s Dan Johnson and United’s Tommie Fagg clash, although there was only a warning for either player, with Bay boss Ben Smith already in the officials’ ears following the incident.

Three minutes later, the home contingent felt they should have been awarded a penalty themselves for Bay captain Laurence Harvey’s challenge on Tashi-Jay Kwayie. Their protests fell on deaf ears, though.

Lockyer had another opportunity midway through the first period, heading Bradley Simms’ left-wing cross wide at the back post.

Away chants