Andy Hessenthaler says guiding Dover to win the Ryman League Premier Division 1 South title in his first season at the club ranks as high as anything he achieved at Gillingham.

The popular player-boss celebrated with his team and supporters after the game and not even a 2-0 home defeat by Sittingbourne could dampen the celebrations.

Hessenthaler said: "We made a bold statement when we arrived that we wanted to get promotion and have done that. Let’s hope it’s the start of something big.

"For me it’s a big achievement, up there with the best, getting to the play-offs at Priestfield and then taking Gillingham to their highest position in the club’s history in the Championship.

"I didn’t see it as dropping a level when I came here. I was joining an ambitious club and am delighted by what we have achieved."