Chatham Town’s promotion hopes were ended by Enfield Town in the Isthmian Premier Division play-off final.
The opening half at Chatham ended goalless but just three minutes after the restart Bernard Tanner fired the visitors in front and Marcus Wyllie made it 2-0 for Enfield after 70 minutes. Lewis Taaffe added a stoppage-time third.
Monday’s play-off final came after promotions in each of Chatham’s previous two seasons under chairman-manager Kevin Hake but they were unable to make it three on the spin.
Just two points had separated the sides at the end of the season, with the Chats finishing above their play-off rivals following a 2-2 draw between the sides in the final game of the regular season.
Chatham’s second-place finish in the table ensured they had home advantage for Monday’s final and 2,600 supporters cheering them on at the Bauvill Stadium.
Hake named an unchanged starting line-up to the one which faced Horsham in their semi-final play-off match.
Chatham’s defence came under serious pressure that night - eventually winning on penalties - but Enfield didn’t offer the same attacking intent.
Sam Youngs nodded over the bar for Enfield and Oliver Kight forced a save from home keeper Mitchell Beeney - one of several half chances for the forward - but Chatham were in charge of the opening half.
They might have led at the break too, when Jordy Robins slipped the ball into the path of Harvey Bradbury but the striker lacked conviction with the shot, leaving Rhys Forster to make a comfortable save.
Chatham were allowed time on the ball to build from the back but Enfield were defending in numbers and it was a case of picking out a quality ball to open them up.
Yila put in inviting low cross that just needed tapping in
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