To say Sonny Miles experienced mixed emotions in Monday's play-off final would be a gross understatement.

Tonbridge's captain missed the whole second half of their game against Merstham after being shown a straight red card for allegedly kicking out at Oliver Cook, who was also sent off.

But centre-half Miles was back on the pitch after the game, collecting a medal and celebrating with his team-mates after a 2-0 win.

"I'm over the moon for the boys," said Miles. "But I was disappointed with my sending-off because I'm baffled as to what I actually did.

"The centre-half's come down, landed on my ankle, put some more force on it himself, shall we say, and I think I've moved my ankle out of the way, maybe pushed his ankle off and the ref's sent me off for kicking out.

"I'm absolutely baffled and so is everyone else. I'm not sure how the appeal process works, if you can (appeal in the play-offs) but we'll see.

"From a personal point of view, I'm absolutely gutted but the team have been brilliant. They were totally in control today."

Miles had to walk down the tunnel three minutes before half-time and didn't reappear until the celebrations were beginning.

"It was terrible," he said. "I had to stay in the changing-room, wasn't even allowed in the tunnel to watch the game, which is a new rule I've never heard of.

"I'm lucky because I've done this before with Tonbridge (winning the play-offs in 2011) but to be the captain and to be sent off is heartbreaking.

"It's one of those things and the boys got over the line in the end. Craig Stone went in at centre-half and looked like he'd never been away. I thought him and Arthur Lee were brilliant."

Tonbridge will be promoted to National League South if they beat Met Police in Saturday's super lay-off at Imber Court.

Miles said: "The league was a lot more open this year.

"We had such a bad run of form in November and December - it was relegation form - so to come back and get to this point now is a credit to the players and the manager because he stuck by us.

"A lot of senior players weren't performing and things weren't quite coming off for us but we've turned it around with a few additions and it's worked brilliantly.

"The game on Saturday is almost a bonus. I can't work it out. If you win the play-off final for your league you should go up but it's another little made-up rule they've done."

Angels boss Steve McKimm almost resigned in January but with the full backing of the board and his players, decided to carry on.

Miles said: "Steve's a brilliant man-manager, he can't do enough for you.

"I've played for some very good managers. Tommy Warrilow's man-management was brilliant, so was Jay Saunders' and Steve's on a level par with them. That's why the players want to perform for him.

"A lot of the first-teamers could be somewhere else for a little bit more money. The budget's not great but the players want to play for Steve and that's why they're here.

"Credit to Steve, Barry Moore and Justin Luchford, all of them. This is a great club and it always has been."

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