Scott Porter said Ricky Freeman’s goal in the Southern Counties East Challenge Cup final deserved to win them the game.

Whitstable Town beat Tunbridge Wells 1-0 at the Longmead Stadium on Saturday with Freeman grabbing the winner in spectacular fashion 66 minutes into the match.

This means that Porter’s side won two cup competitions and achieved promotion this season.

Manager Porter said: “He’s brought it down and hit a worldie. He’s got that in his locker and we needed that because it was going to fizzle out in the end. But what a great goal from Ricky and he’s been great all season.

“It’s a fantastic achievement. The main aim was promotion this season with the two teams going up. It was up against us with the games and schedule we had. There were a lot of doubters out there because of the squad I had.

“I trusted my players and it has got the club where it should be and back on the map and the club deserves it.

“We weren’t good today but that goal deserves to win the game all day.”

Freeman’s moment of magic gave Whitstable the win in what was a tight game of football where both sides could not create much.

Town hit the post twice but Cameron Hall in the Tunbridge Wells goal was rarely tested.

Porter said: “We weren’t good today and couldn’t put the balls in the channel. The weather played its part and it’s a big pitch, which I thought would play to our strengths. We hit the post twice as well and limited them to few chances. So I’m delighted.

“We limited them to few chances and that’s what we are good at. We have the best defensive record in the league and it has got us to where we are now.

“I was disappointed at half time. I went mad in there (the changing room) because it was not the way we play and our energy levels were not good. We did not hit the balls in the channels and putting it on the centre-half’s head.

“Once we go in front I back us all the way.”

Tunbridge Wells had a disappointing league season and this match was an opportunity to bring some silverware to the club.

Manager Jason Bourne was not happy with the way his side played but said it was that moment of magic that proved decisive.

Dan Eason in the Whitstable goal was not tested with the only real save he had to make was from Jon Pilbeam in the first half.

Bourne said: “It’s a cup final so we are obviously disappointed. I don’t think either manager would be fully satisfied with the way their team played. It went down to a moment of magic.

“It was always going to peter out and we didn’t have many chances. I think they hit the post out of nothing and then Ricky Freeman does that.

“We just have to move on and use this as a platform to not have this feeling again and move on to greater things.

“They started better and it looked like we choked a little bit. It took us a good 30 minutes to get settled and develop a good pattern of play.

“I think both teams ran out of energy and ideas and when you get tired you stop making the right decisions.”

Tunbridge Wells were well supported at the match, played at Tonbridge Angels’ ground, and had many factors in their favour.

However, their luck was not in and the side who conceded just 29 goals in the league season kept another clean sheet.

Bourne said: “We were lucky we managed to train on the pitch midweek and get a feel for the place. We had a massive support and didn’t have to travel far so all those things are little advantages. We also won the toss and had the home changing room. It just wasn’t for us today.

“Whitstable did what they do well. Are they the best team in the league? I don’t know but they are the most consistent team in the league and most hard working. All credit to them and they did the business.”