Eastbourne clinch double for Sussex

11:38pm Thursday 8th May 2008

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Eastbourne Borough completed a clean sweep for Sussex in Blue Square South on Thursday with a 2-0 play off final victory over Hampton & Richmond Borough at Stevenage Borough's Broadhall way ground that sees them join neighbours Lewes in the Blue Square Premier next season.

Eastbourne, having finished the season as runners up three points clear of third placed Hampton, clinched promotion with two late goals.

Substitute Nathan Crabb opened the scoring on 85 minutes just five minutes after coming on when ramming home a rebound after Beavers keeper Matt Lovett did well to push onto the crossbar a powerful effort from Andy Aitkin.

The south coast side made certain of victory in the fourth minute of added time when Ben Austin slid a fine pass down the vacant left side of the Hampton defence for Paul Armstrong to race clear and carefully plant the ball inside Lovett's left hand upright.

Overall Eastbourne underlined their reputation as a solid if unspectacular outfit with Hampton making most of the running during the opening hour although a goal for Alan Devonshire side looked little more than a remote possibility.

Hampton, however, can certainly bemoan their ill fortune after an Orlando Jeffrey header was blocked on the goalline, Lawrence Yaku had a low drive deflected over the bar by the legs of the diving keeper and Ryan Lake saw his fine volley pushed onto the foot of the woodwork by a fully stretched Lee Hook.

Eastbourne Borough: L.Hook, D.Baker, N.Jenkins, D.Budd (M.Smart 63), B.Austin, M.Pullan, P.Harding, P.Armstrong, A.Aitkin, A.Tait (N.Crabb 80), M.Crabb (J.Lovett 63), subs; A.Ballard, D.Lightwood.

Hampton & Richmond Borough: M.Lovett, G.Harper, R.Lake (G.Harris 89), O.Jeffrey, S.Lake, D.Wells, A.Inns, E.Godfrey (S.McAuley 79), I.Hodges, L.Yaku, F.Quarm, subs; R.Paris, M.Fernandes, B.Matthews.

Booked: M.Crabb.

Referee: Ron Ganfield (Somerset).