East Preston boss Vic Short believes his side can become one of the powers of County League football.

Short's young team clinched the third promotion spot from division two after a 1-0 success in their winner-takes-all clash with East Grinstead.

Sean Duffy's first goal for East Preston was enough to send them back up to the top flight and complete a remarkable turnaround for the club.

The appointment of Short 12 months ago was an inspiration. The club was on its knees, having just been relegated following a dismal season.

Short was an unknown in County League circles but he was hungry to prove himself after tasting success with Rustington in the West Sussex League.

He completely rebuilt the side, mainly with youngsters who had played with him at Rustington and who, like their manager, had something to prove.

At times the team were naive but the victory showed the kids are maturing and now the club can look forward to a bright future.

Short said: "I am so pleased how we have played over the season. I think if you ask managers around this league we deserve to go up.

"I thought we looked very solid against East Grinstead and we got the win we came for.

"We are not a side that likes to defend but we had to do it in the second half .

"We like to get goals but there are times where you have to have 20 minutes in a game where you give other sides respect and defend the lead you have got.

"We had got the goal and we knew East Grinstead had to get two. But a save by Brett Simmonds made all the difference."

As for the future, Short has tall ideas.

He said: "I feel very honoured. I have got a great club behind me and, if everything is done right behind the scenes and I get everything right on the field, we can be one of the biggest clubs in division one.

"Not yet, though. I am looking at maybe three or four years if I can keep these boys together.

"Next year I think we will do all right but if we can finish fourth from bottom I will be happy."

The battle for the third promotion spot in division two had developed into arguably the most exciting issue in the County League this year. Rye United and Shoreham always looked like taking the top two places but three clubs were locked in a battle for the remaining spot.

Eastbourne Town were in the top three from mid-December until the final week of the season but they were always ahead of their rivals in terms of games played.

Less than six weeks ago East Preston and East Grinstead were 17 points behind Town and playing a game of catch-up. That they did, hauling back the difference with their games in hand.

After both winning in midweek, it all came down to who won the final game of the season.

A draw would have suited East Preston but they made the more enterprising start.

The influential Simon Clayton was at the heart of things in midfield and he was involved in the best chance of the first half, with a ball over the defence which sent Lee Farrell through. The young striker lifted his shot past advancing keeper Scott Kenward but defender Kevin Wright scampered back to clear.

Grinstead made a more purposeful start to the second half and just two minutes after the break Chris Raymond let fly with a shot from 20 yards but Simmonds made a fantastic one-handed save.

Wasps continued to press but found no way through a defence in which Russell Tomlinson was outstanding.

The visitors always looked dangerous on the break and they scored the only goal of the game midway through the half.

Matt Huckett, a teenage striker with 35 goals this season, drilled over a daisy-cutter corner from the left. Farrell jumped over the ball and Duffy swept it home from close range.

Duffy said: "I have got a few goals this season but not on Saturdays. I was pleased I managed to score with my left foot because people have been talking about me doing that. When it went through Lee's legs, I thought I couldn't miss and I just knocked it in.

"It's great we've done this after winning a title with Vic at Rustington."

Former Sussex player Terry Withers has provided the experience in midfield for EP this year. The 37-year-old said: "This is my local side and I'm delighted.

"We have a young side but I think we will do well next year and I am looking forward to it."

While East Preston celebrate, spare a thought for Grinstead who have narrowly missed out on promotion for a second successive year.

Like their victors, Wasps have a young side containing mostly local players, who were unbeaten in the league since December prior to this defeat. Bobby Smith has instilled the right values in his team and they will surely be there or thereabouts again next season.