Enfield Town were today promoted from Ryman Division One North thanks to a 1-0 victory over Needham Market in the play-off final.

Following an even opening to the contest, Walid Matata put the home side in the driving seat when he headed the Towners in front early on.

Adam Wallace looked certain to add a second shortly after the break but he was denied by a fine fingertip save from Liam Jones.

Needham looked to have found an equaliser midway through the second half but Town’s lead was preserved by the assistant referee’s flag, after Rhys Barber had netted.

And Enfield held on to claim a victory and book their place in the Ryman Premier Division for next season.

Steve Newing was forced into three changes from the Town side that beat Grays Athletic in the semi final three days ago.

Jordan Lockie and Leon Osei missed out through injury while Danny Barber was suspended following his red card.

In their places came Jey Siva, Dave Kendall and Matata, who were all handed starting berths.

Town enjoyed some early pressure but were unable to find a route to goal, finding themselves thwarted by a determined Needham rearguard.

But Newing’s side drew first blood and it came 17 minutes into the contest.

Wallace showed great strength and control to turn his marker and supply the cross from the left flank, with Matata’s desire carrying him through to beat team-mate Liam Hope to head beyond the flat-footed Jones.

Enfield continued to press and although they failed to really test Jones, they similarly frustrated their visitors.

They survived a scare on 26 minutes when Kendall misjudged a cross to seemingly present Danny Bloomfield with the chance to level but the Needham man was unable to capitalise, as Kendall cleared at the second attempt.

Hope headed over a minute later after good work again from Wallace while Town might have considered themselves fortunate in the next move of the match.

Craig McKay’s header back was weak and allowed Deakin Napier to swoop in and intercept before going to ground under pressure from Noel Imber.

Needham desperately appealed for a penalty but the official was unmoved as play continued.

The game now had that spark it had lacked previously and Enfield might have doubled their lead but Mark Kirby was twice denied from headers.

The Towners were passing the ball about well at this point and one such move saw Wallace and Hope combine on the right for the latter to shoot but his effort drifted high of the target, while Rudi Hall narrowly show wide from a free kick.

Needham were struggling to create a clear cut chance at goal as the Town back four stood firm.

Lee McGlone was put in shortly before the break but Kendall was there as the covering defender to clear the danger, preserving the hosts’ advantage at the interval.

Town enjoyed the first chance of the second period and were desperately unlucky not to extend their advantage as Kendall crossed but the ball was just too far in front of Hope, who had the goal at his mercy.

Siva and Dean Pennant both tried their luck from distance but neither were able to trouble the keeper.

Man-of-the-Match Wallace had proved a threat all afternoon for the Towners and he was denied only by a full-stretch save from Jones, while strong shouts for a handball fell on deaf ears shortly after when Hope struck fiercely at goal.

Chances were few and far between at this point but it was Enfield creating what little there was, with Hall denied by what looked like a handball.

Needham were starting to cause problems with high balls into the box though and from one long throw, Rhys Barber fired in after Imber had initially saved but the goal was ruled out by an offside flag.

It was a warning for Town that they needed a second goal to kill off the tie and they seemed certain to get it following the introduction of Tyler Campbell.

The winger showed great trickery to get into the box before squaring for Wallace but he was unable to get control of the ball, with the defence able to clear before he could get his shot away.

Needham were not going down without a fight though and continued to push inside the final ten minutes – top scorer Sam Newson coming close with a header but it was easily dealt with by Imber.

With the game entering five minutes of stoppage time Town looked to have secured their promotion after Kirby towered high at the back post but his header was just too high as it fell the wrong side of the crossbar.

The miss was not to prove costly though as the final whistle was greeted with wild celebrations from the home support, meaning the Towners can now look forward to life in Step Three.

Town: Imber, Kendall. Siva (Forward 83), McKay, Kirby, Pennant, Wallace, Hall, Hope, Hammatt (Johnston 78), Matata (Campbell 72).

Subs: Allen, Crowley.

Needham: Jones, Fenn (Evans 57), Wilkinson, Bradley Barber, Boylond, Rhys Barber, Newson, Harrop, Bloomfield (Wright 76), McGlone, Napier (Chaplin 78).

Subs: Smith, De’ath.

Attendance: 817.