A Paycare Stadium crowd of 501 witnessed a superb 96th minute winner from substitute Kieron Miller secure Step 5 Football for the first time in the club's 148-year history.

With both teams finishing on equal points during the regular season a close encounter was expected and the large crowd were not disappointed as both sides quality, work rate, effort, and energy was magnificent and a credit to their fitness and quality.

In an evenly contested first half, Darlaston just having the edge, defences were generally on top. Matt Roome and Harry Landsdowne were superb at the heart of the Stapenhill defence, denying the Division's top scorer Andy Nicol any space or time. Skipper Alex Foreshaw and man of the match Ben Priest were equally impressive for the home side in keeping the impressive 48 goal strike partnership of Connor Richins and George Teeney at bay.

Charlie Rumin impressed in midfield for the visitors whilst Liam Wilkinson, Reece Mason, and Josh Jones pushed forward and prompted for the home side but clear chances were non-existent in a goalless first half.

The first 20 minutes of the second half was pretty much a repeat of the first half with chances hard to come by. The breakthrough eventually came on 68 minutes when Jake Pearson but the home side ahead, prodding home from close range after Ben Podmore's attempt was blocked. The goal sent the home crowd into fits of delight as the possibility of Step 5 football loomed. Pearson had a glorious chance to double the lead but shot wide from 12 yards after being set up following some excellent play between Nicol and Jeevan Purewal.

Disaster struck for the home side when George Teeney silenced the home crowd with an 86th-minute equaliser. A long ball into the Darlaston penalty area saw Teeney outjump home keeper Brad Clarkson to flick his header into an empty net.

Stapenhill forced a couple of late corners, but it was Darlaston who ended the game stronger.

Stapenhill's hearts were broken deep into injury time when a goal of the highest quality by Kieron Miller sent the large home crowd home with smiles on their faces and ensured Step 5 football for the 2022/23 season. As the game looked to be heading into extra time, Miller picked up the ball some 30 yards out, cut inside his marker, and arrowed an unstoppable 25-yard drive inside keeper Paul Hollis' right-hand post to send the home supporters into raptures.

After earlier being cautioned, Stapenhill's Teeney was sent off following an off-the-ball incident immediately after the goal.

Nicol and Purewal both had late chances to extend the lead with efforts blocked by the outstretched legs of keeper Hollis.

The game was a credit to the Division, both sides playing attractive football in a game of few chances, in superb weather, on an excellent playing surface in front of a large crowd. Stapenhill played their part in a hard-fought close encounter and showed immense class and quality at the end of the game, but it was Darlaston who just edged home to take the spoils.

It was poignant that family members of former Darlaston striker Leon Taylor were at the game. Taylor passed away in November after being taken ill following a J W Hunt Cup game against Dudley Town. Following the game, Darlaston boss Dean Gill said " Since Leon's passing the players have responded magnificently and everything, we have done over the last six months has been in Leon's memory. They were determined to honour him, and today's win and promotion is for Leon. The players believe he was with them today. It has been an emotional but fabulous day for us all and I am delighted for my management team, the players, committee, and supporters who have been magnificent all season ".