Goalkeeper Craig Smith was the hero of Lydd Town’s promotion - after nearly missing the game.

Smith made the winning save as 10-man Lydders beat Tooting Bec 5-4 on penalties following a 1-1 draw in the Southern Counties East Division 1 play-off final last Saturday.

Expecting the final to be a 7pm kick-off at Tooting Bec, Smith had already made plans.

A fixture reversal, after Tooting declared their ground unavailable, gave Lydd home advantage but potentially left them without a keeper, with kick-off moved to 3pm.

Smith came good and starred as Lydd - who beat Faversham Strike Force 4-2 in the semi-finals last Wednesday - reached the Southern Counties East Premier Division for the first time in their history.

“I didn’t have a goalkeeper until 9am on Saturday morning,” said manager Mickey Doyle.

“Craig had made other arrangements, something that was quite important to him, because he thought it was a 7pm kick-off.

“I didn’t sleep Friday night. My wife came in with a cup of tea and said don’t worry, everything will be all right, and 10 minutes later Craig phoned and he said he’d be able to play.

“Then he goes and makes the winning penalty save and is probably man-of-the-match in the game.

“He saved a point-blank header that would have given them a 2-1 lead when we were down to 10 men. I don’t know how he clawed it round the corner.”

James Rogers gave Lydd an early lead but Tooting levelled before half-time and were in ascendancy after Rogers was controversially sent off.

Lydd held on for penalties, with Luke Burdon, Ronnie Dolan, Richard Atkins, Harry Alexander and Ryan Philpott scoring from the spot.

Captain Ryan Smith’s effort was saved but brother Craig made the winning save, to the delight of a big home crowd of 245.

Doyle said: “Tooting were a great little side but we just had that bit of experience to get us over the line.

“The home advantage counts as well. You’ve got nearly 250 there and when the legs are tired they spur you on.

“It’s a history-making year for the club, getting promoted to the highest level we’ve ever played at and reaching the First Round Proper of the FA Vase for the first time.

“We took some very big hits right on the chin - losing 8-0 to Snodland and 5-1 to Croydon - but we got up and carried on.

“Hats off to the players for that. It doesn’t matter if you played one game or 50 games, everyone contributed.

“I’m so happy for everyone at the club to get over the line.

“Pat Lindsey, the chairman, Bruce Marchant, the secretary, Lisa Prince, the vice-chairman, and all the volunteers have worked so hard.

“The skipper, Ryan Smith, has been absolutely magnificent as well

“He deserves a lot of credit for what he does on and off the pitch.

“He’s that link between the players and the management team.

“I must thank my assistant, Owen Kessack, and coach, Dexter Gondongwe, who’ve been superb as well.

“I’m looking forward a couple of weeks off now. I’m not even going to think about football.”