SOUTH: Grays clinch promotion

Congratulations to Grays Athletic, who will join the Nationwide Conference next season after claiming the Nationwide South title on Saturday.

Welling United's 1-0 win over Cambridge City ensured the latter could not catch the runaway leaders, who celebrated their championship in style with a 3-0 win over Bishop's Stortford on Monday.

Ironically, it was Grays' on-loan midfielder Martin Carthy who scored the goal for Welling that sealed promotion for his club.

The Essex side moved 19 points clear of their nearest rivals Cambridge City with a 5-0 win over Margate on Friday, meaning the second=placed side had to get a result at Welling to prevent Grays from going up.

With six games remaining, Cambridge should secure one of the four play-off places, with Lewes and Thurrock both six points behind.

Meanwhile, having secured Nationwide Conference football for next season, the impressive Grays will now turn their attentions to the FA Trophy, with the first leg of their semi-final against Burton Albion to come this weekend.