Tonbridge boss Alan Dunne described Sean Shields’ derby winner at Maidstone as one of his best moments in football.

Dunne loved the joy Shields’ 98th-minute strike brought to almost 350 travelling fans as Angels won a league game against their local rivals for the first time since 2014.

The boss got caught up in the moment as Tonbridge celebrated their 2-1 win at the Gallagher Stadium.

Dunne played hundreds of games for Millwall during a successful playing career but there was something about a National League South Kent derby that got him as Shields’ fierce strike hit the back of the net.

“I don’t know what happened,” said Dunne. “I think I did one of the Klopp celebrations, running down the side.

“That’s what football’s about.

“I came out of it for six months and I really missed having that feeling of winning a game of football.

“I’ve played in some big games and won some big games but today, seeing the staff and all that it means to them and the people, it really shows how important these games are.

“I’m just proud to have given them something back.

“To see it in the net, and then the eruption, it’s up there as one of the best moments I’ve had in football.”

Eddie Simon’s header shortly after half-time gave Tonbridge the lead but Hamzad Kargbo levelled in the 90th minute.

With seven minutes of added time up, there was a late twist when substitute Shields, playing just his second game after six months out with a knee injury, ran on to Matty Warren’s pass and crashed home the winner off the post.

Shields had replaced Alfie Pavey, who was making his debut after joining on loan from Bracknell.

“I’m looking at Shieldsy, thinking is it the right sub to make but Alfie had blown up, so I gambled a little bit taking off the big centre-forward to put on Shieldsy,” said Dunne, whose side went into the game on the back of 1-1 and 0-0 draws against fancied sides Maidenhead and Weston.

“But it was written in the stars for Shieldsy, he got that one chance and that was it.

“I could feel the tension in the game, with the derby and both teams wanting to win, their bench, our bench, and I enjoyed it.

“I’m proud of the team, I don’t think they get enough credit for the performances they’ve turned out.

Report: Maidstone 1-2 Tonbridge

“To go to Maidenhead and compete, to come here today with a team like Maidstone, with the money they’ve got, the players they’ve got, the options they’ve got, and my boys are part-time, they work and train two nights a week.

“I don’t think they’re getting enough credit for Maidenhead, Weston-super-Mare and today.

“I’m proud of them as manager, I’m happy for the club, happy for the fans, happy for Sophie (Purves) the chairman, I’m really happy for everyone because I feel like everyone’s smiling like it’s Christmas Day.”

Tonbridge, whose win puts them 15th, host Chelmsford at Longmead on Tuesday (7.45pm).

The Clarets beat Essex rivals Braintree 4-1 in the FA Cup first round on Saturday.

Sign up to our Non-league Football newsletter and you can enjoy all the best bits from KentOnline every week direct to your inbox! To sign up, click here