Eastbourne Borough chairman Len Smith today admitted promotion to the Conference would have been a step too far for the club.

Borough lost 2-1 against Altrincham in the Conference north-south play-off final at Stoke's Britannia Stadium yesterday.

Two goals in three minutes early in the second half by Rod Thornley and Val Owen sealed victory before Scott Ramsay netted a last minute penalty to give Borough a consolation.

Smith, who has seen Borough rise from being County League champions just five years ago, said: "It probably would have been a step too far if we had gone up. We would have taken it of course but we did not plan to be there this quickly.

"Our aim at the start of the season was just to establish ourselves as a Conference south team. We didn't expect to get this far so it was a big bonus just to be involved.

"We are now looking to build on this and get ready to do well again next season"

Smith paid tribute to the number of Borough supporters who made the 500-mile round trip.

More than 1,000 fans travelled, which far outnumbered the Altrincham support.

Smith said: "The supporters were fantastic. They came a long way to get behind the team and they never stopped singing. It was just a shame we could not give them the win."