Eastbourne Borough completed an amazing eight-year journey from the County League to non-league's top flight with a dramatic victory in the Blue Square south play-off final at Stevenage.

Borough were under pressure for the majority of the game as they failed to recreate the form which had seen them finish second in the table but sealed a place in Blue Square premier alongside Crawley and Lewes thanks to late goals from Nathan Crabb and Paul Armstrong.

It is a remarkable achievement for a club which was only formed in 1964 and was playing parks football as recently as 1982 and the large contingent of travelling fans certainly enjoyed the moment.

The night had started badly for Borough when the team coach broke down at Pease Pottage and the players had to drive themselves the rest of the way but it ended on a high as they sprayed champagne into the celebrating fans.

Skipper Armstrong said: "It is a brillitant achievement. I experienced promotion with Crawley when we won the league but this is better as you get the trophy and all the celebrations that go with it.

"We didn't play particularly well on the night but our defence was brilliant and we dug in for the result.

"Breaking down didn't help our preparations and perhaps had something to do with the way we played but I don't think anyone can deny that we deserved to be promoted over the whole season.

"Lewes were worthy winners of the league but we pushed them all the way and now we can look forward to a few more Sussex derbies next season."

Their disrupted preparations certainly seemed to affect Borough in the first half as they were guilty of giving the ball away too frequently.

That meant their defence had to work overtime to contend with the expected barrage of long-balls and the pressure almost told in the 14th minute when Borough had a lucky escape.

A huge throw into the area Graham Harper was punched behind by Lee Hook and from the resulting corner Orlando Jeffrey's powerful header was cleared off the line by Darren Budd.

Lawrence Yaku also fired into the side netting after Godfrey had caused mayhem again at another corner while Ian Hodges pulled a shot wide from the edge of the area as Hampton had Borough on the ropes.

It took until the 36th minute for Borough to show any of the form which had earned them a place in the final and it so nearly brought them a goal.

Neil Jenkins exchanged passes with Matt Crabb on the edge of the area and then delivered a lovely cross which Andy Atkin, at full stretch, volleyed over from close range.

That proved to be the only bright point of a dismal first half for Borough and Matt Crabb's frustration boiled over just before the interval as he was booked for a reckless challenge on Francis Quarm.

Wilson will have been relieved to get his side back in the changing room still on level terms and the only consolation for the large travelling contingent for Sussex was the belief that surely their side would improve in the second half.

There was no sign of that happening in the early stages though as only a fantastic save from Hook denied Hampton the goal their dominance deserved.

A fine long ball from Stuart Lake found Yaku who cut inside Darren Baker only to see his powerful shot from 18 yards hit the onrushing Hook and deflect over the bar.

Wilson made a double change in the 63rd minute in an attempt to pump some life into his side.

Matt Smart replaced Darren Budd in the centre of midfield while Jay Lovett came on for the ineffective Crabb to play on the right wing with Pat Harding switching to the left.

It had little effect though as Hampton continued to put the Borough back four under intense pressure.

Only a desperate lunge from Marc Pullan prevented Yaku having a clear run at goal and then Hook came to the rescue again as he turned Ryan Lake's stinging 30-yard drive around the post at full stretch.

Wilson used his last roll of the dice with ten minutes to go as he brought on the quicksilver Nathan Crabb in place of the tiring Allan Tait up front and it proved a masterstroke.

Just four minutes after coming on the former Eastbourne United striker reacted quickest to tap home the loose ball after Atkin's fine volley on the turn had been pushed onto the bar by Lovett.

Borough endured a few nervy moments as Hampton looked for an equaliser but Paul Armstrong wrapped things up deep into stoppage time when he ran clean through on goal before placing his shot past Lovett.

The final whistle blew almost immediately sparking joyous scenes as the Borough staff and their supporters rushed onto the pitch to celebrate a remarkable achievement.

Eastbourne Borough: Hook, Austin, Jenkins, Pullan, Baker, Budd (Smart, 68), Harding, Armstrong, Atkin, Tait (N Crabb, 80), M Crabb (Lovett, 68). Subs not used: Ballard, Lightwood.

Hampton: Lovett, Harper, R Lake (Harris, 88), Jeffrey, S Lake, Wells, Inns, Godfrey (McAuley, 79), Hodges, Yaku, Quarm. Subs not used: Paris, Fernandes, Matthews.

Referee: R Ganfield.

Man-of-the-match: Marc Pullan.