Delighted Drayton wrap up title

Market Drayton Town woke up in "dreamland" today – after securing the victory they needed to win the Midland Alliance championship.

The north Shropshire side beat Highgate United 3-0 at Greenfields last night to secure their promotion to the UniBond League.

It will be the highest level at which Drayton have ever competed, and manager Simon Line is relishing the opportunity to mix with a number of famous non-League clubs.

"We're going to be playing 'proper' football now and that's an achievement in itself for our little club," said Line.

"Only six or seven years ago we were not far off from playing County League football so we've come a very long way in a very short time.

"You look at the league we're going into and see there could be sides like Witton Albion in there and it's unbelievable to think they'll be playing in the same league as us.

"We're in dreamland at the moment, but I'll make sure we're not just there to make the numbers up.

"I've got a holiday booked at the end of May and will purposefully not take my phone but, other than that, we'll be working hard all through the summer to make sure we are ready."

Two Tom Rogers goals and one from Jason Francis sealed the victory last night in front of a healthy crowd of 196 supporters.

Those fans got their reward as the team was presented with the trophy on the pitch, starting a jubilant party which soon moved on to the clubhouse.

"We got the trophy last night and the lads got their medals and that was great," added Line.

"We all enjoyed parading it around for the supporters and there was a bit of drinking out of it in the bar afterwards!

"In the last 25 minutes of the game we played ever so well and we got a great third goal which really capped it off.

"It was a great night and there were lots of faces down there that haven't been too often, so hopefully the message is stating to get through because we will need them behind us again next season."

By CHRIS HUDSON