Andy Woodman holds the National League promotion final trophy aloft with Bromley's playersImage source, Rex Features
Image caption,

Andy Woodman led Bromley to promotion to the English Football League for the first time in the club's history

Bromley beat Solihull Moors 4-3 on penalties to secure a dramatic promotion to the English Football League for the first time in the club's 132-year history.

Captain Byron Webster scored the deciding penalty to extend his 100% winning record at Wembley to four matches.

Bromley twice led through top scorer Michael Cheek, who rolled the ball into the bottom to open the scoring.

Joe Sbarra hit back shortly after half-time before Cheek won and scored a penalty to put his side back in front.

Solihull captain Jamey Osborne equalised for the Moors again to send the tie to extra-time, with Ravens substitute Alex Kirk twice hitting the woodwork as neither side could find the winner.

Moors got off to the worst possible start in the shootout with Bromley keeper Grant Smith saving from Tyrese Shade and Joss Labadie, but Nick Hayes denied Ashley Charles to keep Solihull in contention.

They scored their next three but Webster stepped up to net his side’s fourth and send Bromley up to League Two.

Manager Andy Woodman said in the lead-up to the game his goal had always been to take the club to the EFL and Sunday's promotion final was his side's golden ticket, with Solihull also playing for promotion for the first time since the club's formation - from the merger of Solihull Borough and Moor Green - in 2007.

Image source, Getty Images
Image caption,

Bromley's win on penalties was the second successive season the National League promotion final has been decided by spot-kicks

The Ravens were backed by a large section of the 23,000-plus crowd and made a fast start to match that support, with the club's top scorer Cheek bursting through and shrugging off a challenge from Alex Whitmore before slotting beyond Hayes in the Moors goal.

Solihull boss Andy Whing was not happy at half-time and was seen speaking to referee James Durkin as he headed down the tunnel, with question marks over whether Cheek fouled the defender before scoring, but he would have been delighted with his side's response and they were level three minutes into the second half.

Grant Smith could only parry Tahvon Campbell's shot back into the box and Sbarra was quickest to react and score his fourth goal of the season.

But Bromley were presented with a chance to retake the lead within 10 minutes when Hayes brought down Cheek in the area after he had been played in by Corey Whitely.

Cheek sent the penalty straight down the middle for his 23rd goal of the game.

But Solihull would not stay down and again applied to pressure as they went in search of an equaliser.

Osborne ran at the back-pedalling defence and ignored the run of Campbell and Shade, going between the Bromley defenders and slotting a precise strike into the bottom corner beyond the diving Smith.

Kirk's header agonisingly came back off the bar after Cheek flicked the ball on for a corner in the first half of extra time.

And the 21-year-old could not believe it when he saw a late effort crash off the inside of the post, flash across the face of goal and go out behind for a goal kick.

Ultimately it would not matter for the Ravens, as Woodman's side won the shootout to lift the trophy and secure promotion.

'We'll forever be the people that got us into the Football League' - Woodman

Bromley boss Andy Woodman told BBC Radio London:

"I'm delighted, it hasn't really sunk in. I've been here a few times and no one wants to speak to you when you lose.

"I was a bit disappointed with the goals we conceded, it was a bit unlike us, but I'll let them off because they got us across the line today.

"We've got heart, we're not the best team. We're the hardest grafting team and the most honest team, we've got players who will fight for each other and that showed today.

"I was alright with the penalties because I've got the best goalkeeper in the league, I knew he'd save one, maybe two and take care of business.

"I was really chuffed that Grant [Smith] got the plaudits he deserved because he's been brilliant for us all season.

"This has been an unhealthy obsession for me. It was about changing history at this football club and about making sure that when we're long gone, me my team and my staff, we'll be forever the people that got us in the Football League."

Bromley winger Louis Dennis told BBC Radio London:

“It sounds surreal [for Bromley to be an EFL club], I can’t believe it. But at the same time I know how hard everyone has worked for this moment and we managed to get it over the line on the day.

“It was always going to be a great way to win it and a horrible way to lose it but what a game that Solihull put up against us and I wish them all the best.

“We’ve always known that you have to graft all the way to the last kick of the game to get anything and that’s what we did today, so I’m over the moon.”

Solihull Moors boss Andy Whing told BBC Radio WM:

"Football can be really cruel at times, especially with the performance and effort the players had put in.

"Everyone associated with the football club can be proud of what they've done today going toe-to-toe with a big club who've been knocking on the door in this league.

"If you look at their support and ours, we were absolutely magnificent today.

"To come out the wrong side of a lottery penalty shootout is gutting. It's a tough dressing room to be in. We'll try and get the lads back up again for a big game next week."