THAMESMEAD Town enjoyed a dramatic 4-1 penalty shootout play-off final win over Maldon & Tiptree on Sunday to secure promotion to the Isthmian Premier Division.

The Mead made the worst possible start by falling 2-0 down inside 12 minutes to goals from Ollie Berquez and Lee Boylan.

But the deficit was halved on 30 minutes as Stuart Zanone’s screamer flew past Maldon keeper Joe Wright.

And it was all square six minutes before the break when Thamesmead were awarded a penalty after Baff Addae was tugged back in the box and Chris Edwards made no mistake from 12 yards.

Only a super save from Wright late on denied Richard Butler a headed winner before the contest went into extra-time.

Mead stopper Rob Budd did well to thwart Kevin McLeod, while Wright was again called into action to keep out Chris Edward’s goal-bound free-kick at the other end.

This was as close as either side came to winning it before the final whistle was blown and the game went to penalties.

Thamesmead skipper James Donovan’s initial effort was cancelled out by Jamie Guy.

Addae put Mead back in front and then Budd produced a fine save to deny McLeod.

Tyrus Gordon-Young’s successful conversion and Ben Bowditch’s subsequent miss put Thamesmead in the driving seat.

And it was left to Chris Edwards to step up and score the decisive penalty which made it 4-1 and sent The Mead into the Isthmian Premier next season.

Follow us on Twitter @NewsShopperSprt