THE race to move up to the Blue Square Premier intensified over the weekend, as the play-off second legs in both the North & South divisions were concluded.

On Saturday, Eastbourne Borough, who finished as runners-up in Blue Square South, progressed to their final after seeing off Braintree Town, 3-0 on the day and 5-0 on aggregate.

Allan Tait, one of the heroes at Cressing Road in Boro's 2-0 success in the first leg, gave the hosts the lead just before half time.

However, the majority in the 1,802 crowd had to wait until the last four minutes to really celebrate as Boro hit two more through Nathan Crabb and Andy Atkins.

So it will be Eastbourne who travel up to Ebbsfleet United, for the Blue Square South play-off final this coming Thursday evening.

Where they will meet Hampton & Richmond Borough, after the Beavers edged out London rivals Fisher Athletic on penalties in their second leg.

A crowd of 1,489 saw the game end goalless after extra-time, and as the first leg had also finished all-square at 1-1, it was onto penalties which Hampton eventually won 4-2.

The Blue Square North play-off final, which will be staged at Burton Albion, will be between Stalybridge Celtic and Barrow following Sunday's second leg games.

At Bower Fold, in front of a crowd of 1,735, Southport endured an awful first half and they were completely dominated by their hosts Stalybridge.

However, it was the visitors who drew first blood and pulled the tie back onto level terms after 31 minutes, when an Ashley Winn effort from 20 yards flew passed Steve Drench and into the net.

Stalybridge went 2-0 up on the day and ahead on aggregate with 15 minutes remaining, as defender Steve Payne headed home an Alex Meechan corner.

But just three minutes from time Southport earned an additional 30 minutes, when Paul Barrett's cross somehow eluded everyone and nestled in the back of the net.

In extra time, Lee Ellington hit the post for Celtic and Southport's Tony Gray struck a 20-yard free kick just wide, but it was the almost inevitable that penalties would decide the outcome - although they was conducted by the fourth official after the referee had gone off with concussion minutes earlier!

And it was Stalybridge who triumphed 5-3 - and now they will meet Barrow this coming Friday night, after the Cumbrians not only held onto their first-leg advantage, but doubled it at a packed New Bucks Head where a fantastic crowd of 4,123 was in attendance.

A second 2-0 defeat to Barrow saw AFC Telford defeated 4-0 on aggregate, as disappointment for the home crowd started with an own goal from Luke Reynolds after 33 minutes and was sealed by Paul Tait with 21 minutes to go.

Asa Charlton and Ian Holmes went close for the home side, but although Barrow finished in fifth place and Telford second, the Bluebirds are the 'form team', and this victory extended their unbeaten run to 20 matches.

Further down the pyramid, AFC Wimbledon continue their march towards a return to The Football League when they defeated Staines Town to gain promotion into the Blue Square South, while FC United of Manchester also used the play-offs to earn their third successive promotion, pushing them up to the Unibond Premier League.

Non League Today