East Thurrock came out after the break showing more of a threat and at times looked as though they may spoil the party.

Mitchell Gilbey got the Rocks back into the game with 15 minutes remaining, and after Bricknell had been gifted his second by David Hughes’ mistake, former Dartford midfielder Max Cornhill made it an uncomfortable closing few minutes with their second.

A jubilant manager, Jay Saunders, who has now led Maidstone to two promotions in three seasons, said after the game, “it’s sunk in now.  Last week was a bit surreal for me, but it’s nice to have our hands on that trophy.”

“I think we’ve deserved it; I didn’t want it to go to goal difference, so to get to 98 points, have the best defensive record and one of the best goal-scoring records shows that we’ve ground out results and all been in it together.”

“I’m pleased we’ve been able to reward the club with the promotion it deserves.”

“People have said that Hendon’s run has been remarkable, and it has. But it has taken a run like that (22 games unbeaten) to get near us, so our lads deserve a lot more credit that they’ve been getting.”

“This season has been enjoyable, and to see everyone, all the kids, out there celebrating just makes it for us. There’s been so many highs and lows, but getting our hands on that trophy today will be something I remember for a long time.”

“Credit goes to the lads. How many times do you see teams go on long Cup runs then fall away in the League?”

“There was a chance we could have turned up today, not really caring, but the lads wanted to win the game.”

“This group have given me everything this season, and not known when they are beaten.  I’m a firm believer that you get out what you put in and they’ve got their rewards today.”

“We’ve been very fortunate over the last couple of years that we have won a lot, but it doesn’t always work out like that.  We’ve got to enjoy these days, and every minute of it.”

Before the game, Maidstone’s assistant manager, Nicky Southall had said that the side was determined to show why they deserved to be champions.

Following the guard of honour provided by East Thurrock to welcome the Stones to the field, the home side dominated the opening exchanges.

Frannie Collin went on a weaving run through the visitors’ midfield only to be stopped at the penalty area, and Jay May couldn’t quite reach a Matt Bodkin cross.

Jamie Coyle, one of three changes from the previous game, played a delicate ball into the area for the run of Billy Bricknell after 8 minutes, but David Hughes was out quickly to close the angle, forcing Bricknell to drag his shot across goal.

The league’s leading scorer, Sam Higgins, showed why he has topped the charts; picking up a loose header inside the Maidstone half, and his powerful drive curved away from goal into the crowd at the Town End.

This was a rare foray forward by East Thurrock though.  On 11, Steve Watt’s ball forward was headed up into the air by Ryan Sammons, and Tom Mills react quickest, striking a left foot volley from the corner of the area dipping over Hughes, but agonisingly, just past the right post.

Then, a flowing 5-man move saw Bodkin play a one-two with May, before driving a shot straight into the keeper’s arms.

Maidstone’s dominance was rewarded on 22, but the opening goal arrived when they were down to ten men; Steve Watt off the field receiving treatment for a cut to his right eyebrow.

Bodkin, again the instigator of Maidstone’s most threatening moments, turned Sammons on the left wing, drove past a weak challenge from Ben Wood, and slid a cross along the 6-yard line, where Jay May arrived to steer his finish into the left corner, with Hughes diving the opposite way.

There was controversy on the half-hour as East Thurrock were handed an opportunity to level the match.  Lewis Smith knocked down Sammons cross from the right wing towards Higgins, but Watt intervened with what appeared to be a perfectly timed tackle to slide the ball away cleanly.

There was a stunned disbelief as Mr Marks pointed to the spot, but took no action against the Stones’ skipper. Jay Saunders later said that the official had admitted he made a mistake with the award.

Higgins stepped up somewhat sheepishly, and his spot kick smashed against the post. Lee Worgan had guessed the right way, and after the match was claiming he got a touch to divert the ball onto the woodwork.

Seven  minutes before the interval, Maidstone increased their lead, with Billy Bricknell striking his fourth goal since his arrival from Ebbsfleet.

James Rogers lifted a ball forward to the striker on the edge of the area, where he held off and turned past Wood, and fired a shot through the defender’s legs, wrong-footing Hughes as the ball rolled into the left corner.

Bricknell had a chance to double his tally on 44, after good work between May and Frannie Collin. The two exchanged passed on the right side of the area, and Collin’s low cross into the 6-yard box was met on the half-volley by Bricknell, whose shot ballooned over the bar.

East Thurrock came out from the interval a different side and suddenly Maidstone realised they had a game on their hands.  Lewis Smith poked a shot goalwards within the first 30 seconds, which nearly deceived Lee Worgan, but the keeper was able to watch the shot onto the left post.

And moments later, Mitchell Gilbey waltzed across the middle of the pitch, and appeared to play a one-two with a suspiciously offside Higgins. Gilbey ran to to collect the ball again and his shot extended Worgan low to his left.

Maidstone were struggling to regain their control of the midfield and only had long-range shots from Collin and Bodkin in the first few minutes of the second half.

The Rocks, meanwhile, were playing with confidence, and an intricate passing move around the Maidstone area, saw Smith fire another shot on target, which Worgan had to fling himself full length to his left to turn away.

On the hour, Smith was again granted the freedom of the home half to weave through 3 challenges, with Worgan off his line quickly to deny the East Thurrock winger.

The party atmosphere among the supporters seemed to be getting to the Maidstone players, and even James Rogers took to playing one-two’s as he strolled across the pitch, and it took three changes to add more creativity to the home side.

One of the replacements, Jack Paxman, put in a dangerous cross that Bodkin could only scuff goalwards. The ball fell into the path off Collin, although on the stretch, and he could only steer his shot into Hughes’ arms.

With 15 minutes left, Gilbey played a delicate one-two with Smith on the edge of the Maidstone area, and was able to clamly slot his shot past an exposed Worgan to get East Thurrock back into the game.

Seven minutes later, good work by Collin, harassing Tom Stephen into a backpass towards Hughes from the left wing, saw the keeper slice his clearance kick straight into the path of Bricknell, who had applied pressure as well.

As Hughes desperately tried to scramble back to cover his goal, Bricknell was able to slide a left foot shot into the empty net from 35 yards and restore the two goal advantage.

If Maidstone thought the job was done, within 100 seconds Max Cornhill had planted a pinpoint header, from a long Connor Witherspoon freekick, into the top right hand corner.

And given their recent history of conceding late goals, the home side was relieved, when substitute Simon Peddie planted a header into Worgan’s arms in the dying seconds.

So Maidstone United become the fifth Kent club to win the Isthmian League title, following on from Bromley (four times), Gravesend & Northfleet, Dartford and Dover, and now take their place in the new National League South next season.

There will be changes though, as central defender, Shane Huke, announced his retirement at the age of 29 after the game.

Saunders admitted the planning starts now, adding “I’ll have a meeting with Coyley (Jamie Coyle) and Nick (Southall) to sort out what we are going to do, then speak to Oliver, Terry and Bill to get the outline.”

“It will be a busy few weeks, but I’d like to get the players signed up soon, and then I’ll take the family on a nice holiday.”

MAIDSTONE UNITED: Lee Worgan, Jamie Coyle, Tom Mills, Steve Watt (Sonny Miles 63), Shane Huke, James Rogers (Alex Brown 67), Matt Bodkin, Jack Parkinson, Jay May (Jack Paxman 61), Frannie Collin, Billy Bricknell.

Subs not used: Craig Stone, Will Godmon.

Goals: Jay May 22, Billy Bricknell 38 & 82.

EAST THURROCK UNITED: David Hughes, Ryan Sammons, Tom Stephen, Paul Goodacre (Simon Peddie 46), Ben Wood, Nicky Symons (Joe Paxman 67), Mitchell Gilbey, Connor Witherspoon, Sam Higgins, Max Cornhill, Lewis Smith.

Subs not used: David Bryant, Ellis Brown, Kye Ruel.

Goals: Mitchell Gilbey 75, Max Cornhill 84.

Attendance: 2,226
Referee: Mr L Marks
Assistants: Mr D Eaton and Mr T Hatt