Sittingbourne 1 Burgess Hill 1 (aet, Burgess Hill win 3-2 on pens) – Isthmian South East play-off final heartbreak for Brickies

Sittingbourne lost on penalties to Burgess Hill in a dramatic Isthmian South East play-off final.

The Brickies, league runners-up with 101 points, looked on course for a first promotion in 29 years after taking a first-half lead through Mitchell May.

But substitute Stefan Vukoje levelled with 19 minutes left as Burgess Hill dominated the second half and the visitors won 3-2 on penalties.

Liam Smith and Richie Hamill converted the Brickies’ first two spot-kicks but Ade Azeez’s effort was saved by Slav Huk and Troy Howard and Donvieve Jones both hit the bar.

Vukoje hit the bar for the Hillians and Martyn Box missed the first chance to win it when he blazed over.

But successful kicks from Alex Brewer, Brannon O’Neill and Kieran Rowe ultimately sent the visitors up to the Isthmian Premier.

The Brickies were unchanged from the side who beat Merstham 4-2 in the semi-finals on Tuesday night.

It was a different challenge with the Hillians known for their movement and passing approach, as opposed to the more direct style of their midweek opponents.

The visitors were given little time to get their football going by a hardworking Brickies side who defended from the front.

Ryan Maxwell’s side were full of running and busy in midfield, limiting Burgess Hill to precious little in attack in the first half.

Ryan Kingsford set up an early chance for Azeez, doing well to stand up a cross to the back post after a neat move featuring May, Ayman El-Mogharbel and Hamill, but the Brickies forward couldn’t direct his header on target.

Azeez, who scored twice against Merstham, had an effort cleared off the line by Logan Dobbs from another Kingsford pass before Bourne broke the deadlock in the 34th minute.

The ball broke to May in the box and he