Borough rode their luck against a strong Hampton & Richmond side but strikes from substitute Nathan Crabb and skipper Paul Armstrong sealed a thrilling victory.

Borough were not at their fluent best and on 13 minutes Darren Budd was forced to clear off the line from Orlando Jeffreys' header.

Ben Austin then blocked well as Stuart Blake delayed his shot and Ian Hodges dragged a chance wide as Hampton looked more dangerous.

Allen Tait did well to wriggle free on the right. His cross was met by Andy Atkin but his shot was charged down.

Hampton continued to press and on 30 minutes their leading scorer Lawrence Yaku dragged a golden opportunity wide.

Budd was lively in the midfield and his creativity set up Borough's best opportunity of the half.

He found Matt Crabb who combined with an overlapping Neil Jenkins.

His far post cross-teed up Atkin but at full stretch he fired over.

Matt Crabb was booked as the first half drew to a close as Borough would have been happier with the nil-nil score line.

The second half was fiercely contested but chances were at a premium.

Keeper Lee Hook saved superbly from Yaku as Borough struggled to contain the lively front man.

Budd was replaced by the more robust Matt Smart and Jay Lovett came on for Matt Crabb as Garry Wilson opted for a more physical presence.

Hook once again saved his side with a spectacular low stop to steer Ryan Lake stinging shot around the post.

Nathan Crabb was introduced for Allan Tait on 79 minutes and it was Crabb who got the goal and sent the Borough contingent wild.

Atkin's effort crashed off the bar and Crabb was in the right place at the right time to side foot into an empty net.

As Hampton chased the equaliser, Armstrong capitalised on the extra space and calmly slotted home his side's second to seal Blue Square Premier football at Priory Lane next season.

Also see: Your messages of congratulations to Eastbourne Borough FC.