Dover boss Jake Leberl thinks it’s fitting they will visit Kent rivals Dartford for the Isthmian Premier play-off final.

Both clubs sit one win away from an immediate National League South return, having responded well to relegation last term, and will meet in the promotion showdown at Princes Park on Monday.

Like the Darts and their manager Ady Pennock, Leberl hasn’t been afraid to stick by a largely youthful squad and has been rewarded for that faith.

Dartford moved into promotion contention after a slow start to this season through a 21-match unbeaten run and, while they lost out in the title race to Horsham, they have been beaten only three times in the league in 33 fixtures.

Leberl said: “They're on a terrific run, aren't they? They're a really big threat.

“They have some really good experience and some big boys in their squad, but we'll know what is coming - like they will know what's coming from us - and Ady is a terrific guy. He's done an amazing job.

“They went through that difficult spell early on, but then they had that unbelievable spell to get them near the top. I think it's quite fitting that we're both in the final after the start we had, if I'm honest.

“I'm really looking forward to the game itself and to being involved in a play-off final.”

While Athletic thrashed Dartford 5-1 at Crabble in September amid their excellent early-season form, their most recent meeting came at Princes Park only 16 days ago. That saw Pennock’s team run out as 3-1 winners.

“It's going to be extremely difficult,” noted Leberl. “We were only there a few weeks ago and they made it extremely tough for us, and they were deserved winners on the day.

“But obviously, we will have learnt from that. Hopefully, we can go one better.

“If we can compete a bit better, anything can happen in a final.”

But regardless of the result in the final, Leberl and No.2 Mike Sandmann have given Dover fans, who had endured two relegations in three years before this season, plenty more to get excited about.

Leberl stated: “I'm a fan and the whole group, the whole fan-base, the whole town, we've been through such difficult spells. The relegation last year was tough personally for me. I've looked back and thought 'Could I have done something differently?'.

“But I think actually the club needed to come down. Step 2 is extremely difficult and it's given us a chance to regroup.

“We need to do so much more off the pitch, but I'm so pleased for the fans that we've given them something to smile about after some really tough years.”