Hythe Town goalkeeper Steve Phillips speaks about his penalty shoot-out heroics in their Isthmian South East play-off victory at Ramsgate

What a difference a year makes for Hythe’s penalty shoot-out hero Steve Phillips.

Relegated with Phoenix Sports last season, keeper Phillips is one game away from promotion after helping the Cannons reach the Isthmian South East play-off final.

He saved twice from the spot as Steve Watt’s underdogs beat Ramsgate 4-3 on penalties after a 1-1 semi-final draw at Southwood on Tuesday night.

Having already denied Ashley Miller, Phillips made the winning save from Theo Osinfolarin to lead Hythe to a final that looked a million miles away at the turn of the year.

But 14 wins in 19 games, including six successive victories at the end of the season, carried them into the play-offs and they visit Whitehawk tomorrow for a place in the Isthmian Premier.

Phillips, who joined Hythe in September, has been a spectator at times playing behind the league’s meanest defence, with Watt’s side conceding just 34 goals in 38 league games.

But penalty shoot-outs put keepers in the spotlight and Phillips didn’t disappoint.

He said: “The boys have put their bodies on the line for me all season and it’s good to return the favour and help us get through.

“When the crowd’s been on your back for 90 minutes, you’ve got nothing to lose and everything went my way in terms of being able to read the penalties. Luckily, I was able to save a couple.

“They had a couple of cracking penalties - that Jack Paxman one that went straight in the stanchion, I was very impressed with that - but when you get those penalties that are in and around you, you’ve just got to try and keep them out.”

The linesman hadn’t seemed sure of the score before Osinfolarin stepped up, so Phillips didn’t immediately realise Hythe had won.

“I asked the lino if they miss is it over and he