Barrow and Eastbourne Borough have secured their places in next season's Blue Square Premier following the conclusion of the playoffs in the regional divisions.

Two late goals helped Eastbourne Borough win the southern division Final at Stevenage's Broadhall Way, the 2-0 scoreline helped them see off Hampton and Richmond and reach the peak of nonleague football for the first time in their history.

Midfielder Matt Henney netted the crucial goal for Barrow as they saw off Stalybridge Celtic by a single goal. Founder members of the Football Conference, David Bayliss and Darren Sheridan's men return to the division from which they were thrown out of in 1999.

This comes at the same time that a similar fate has befallen Halifax Town, who on Friday had their liquidation virtually confirmed. Following administration earlier in the season and only just avoiding relegation, the Creditors meeting on Friday made it apparent that no agreement could be reached for repaying the club's debts.

The likes of Barrow and Aldershot Town will now have to prove the inspiration for The Shaymen, as a new club looks set to be created and fans will have to hope for a rise back through the divisions.

This leads to safety, still to be officially confirmed, for Altrincham at the foot of the Blue Square Premier. The Robins would be safe for a ridiculous third consecutive season having finished in a spot in the drop zone.

Having benefitted from the likes of Canvey Island and Scarborough in the past, it is Halifax's unforunate demise that looks set to give Graham Heathcote a further season at this level.

Saturday afternoon saw Ebbsfleet United collect the FA Trophy for the first time in their history, Chris McPhee netted the only goal of the game having previously missed a penalty in their victory against Torquay United.

Kevin Hill broke The Gulls' all time appearance record in the fixture which took place at Wembley, but it will prove scant consolation for a side whose season has fallen apart in the past week.

Only the Blue Square Premier Playoff Final remains, as Cambridge United face off with Exeter City at Wembley in a bid to return to the Football League. Following this, the nonleague season will be complete.

Matt Ramsay