Brown celebrates crucial victory as Shots take big step towards title

Eleven years after the collapse of the old Football League club and the birth of Aldershot Town, the Hampshire side are on the brink of the greatest achievement so far in their short life.

Tuesday's 1-0 win at their Ryman League title rivals Canvey Island took the Shots nine points clear of the Essex team at the top of the Premier Division. Aldershot have five games left to play compared to Canvey's four, which means that the leaders need four more points to secure the championship.

Jeff King's Canvey side seem certain to have to settle for finishing second for the third year running, but they took some consolation from Tuesday's gate receipts. After only 327 fans had watched their previous home game, a derby against Billericay Town, more than 2,000 away fans swelled the attendance for the Shots' visit to 3,553.

They watched a hard-fought but high-quality game which was decided when the Shots' top scorer, Roscoe D'Sane, was felled in the penalty area by Canvey's Micky Bennett in the 28th minute. The former Crystal Palace striker picked himself up and converted the resulting penalty.

For the former Hayes manager Terry Brown, who took charge of Aldershot just over a year ago, it was a triumph to savour. "This was the best night I've had since becoming manager of Aldershot," Brown said. "It was the most important game I've ever been involved in. We took a giant step forward tonight."

Assuming they clinch the Ryman title, Aldershot will be joined in the Nationwide Conference next season by Accrington Stanley, who won the UniBond League last weekend, and almost certainly by the FA Trophy finalists Tamworth, who need one win from six games to seal the Dr Martens League title.

The Conference has had its application to expand its membership from 22 to 24 clubs next season rejected by the Football Association's sanctions and registrations committee. The change is, however, likely to take place in time for the 2004-05 campaign.