MAIDSTONE United were crowned Bass Brewers Kent League, Premier Division, champions following a nail-biting end to the season on Saturday.

The Stones' 3-1 triumph at third-place Deal Town was enough to give them the title on goal-difference from VCD Athletic, who had led the table for most of the season.

Jim Ward's team will now have their sights on winning the double when they play Whitstable in the premier division cup final on Saturday May 11 at Folkestone's Cheriton Road stadium.

The Stones clinched victory at Deal in front of a season's best crowd of 818 thanks to a second half goals by Jamie Kempster, Neil Davey and Steve Marshall. It meant they finished with a goal difference of plus 40 compared with VCD's plus 36.

Winning the title capped a memorable season for the former Football League side who were playing their first season in the Kent League since regaining senior status.

Despite their success this season they will not be stepping up to the Dr Martens League next season after their application to join the competition was turned down two weeks ago.

Stones chairman Paul Bowden-Brown received written confirmation that, after a special meeting, the league were unable to process their bid for promotion because the club's groundsharing arrangement at Central Park did not meet the strict ground and facilities criteria.

The decision was not a surprise as Maidstone have only a three-year lease at Sittingbourne's Central Park and the rules demand a contract for at least seven years.

Bowden-Brown is reluctant to commit to such a long-term deal because he hopes the Stones will be playing in a new stadium in the county town in time for the start of the 2003-04 season.