Sean Ray and Ade Olorunda played football together outside their Hastings homes as children.

And they were acting like kids all over again on Saturday after helping United seal their place in the Ryman premier division next season.

Captain Ray was outstanding in a rock-solid defence against a Tooting side boasting a 31-match unbeaten run before this division one south play-off final.

Olorunda scored one and made one.

The schoolmates believe that a team made up of local players will continue to improve at the higher level next season.

A mix of town pride and indomitable team spirit - epitomised by this victory - produced an extraordinary promotion campaign which looked so unlikely when the team languished at the bottom of the table after losing the first four games.

Ray, Olorunda and manager Nigel Kane all predict the same characteristics will be key in the next campaign.

Centre-back Ray, 26, said: "I grew up with Ade and his brother Tim.

"We're all local lads and such good friends. That's where the team spirit comes from. It is the best I have known and the confidence we have got from each other is second to none.

"Confidence goes a long way in football. We knew we would beat Tooting and Mitcham and it can help us in the premier. We'll hold our own."

Olorunda, 25, said: "We have played teams higher than us, like AFC Wimbledon, Leyton and Eastbourne Borough, and done okay against them. We'll do all right with a couple of additions.

"It feels absolutely amazing to be promoted. I was in the reserves when we last played at a higher level (in the Dr Martens Southern premier) and didn't get a chance.

"It was the same for my brother, James Sims and Danny Ellis, who also helped us go up."

Kane knows he will have to strengthen his young side to ensure there is no repeat of the relegation Hastings suffered when they last played at the higher level under George Wakeling in 2003.

But he insisted whoever he signs (a striker, wide midfielder and left-back are top of his priority list) will have to fit in off and on the field.

Kane said: "There won't be wholesale changes. We've identified players but they will have to fit the mould.

"They need to show me and the boys that they desperately want to play for Hastings.

"We've got a work ethic and players who stick rigidly too it. Promotion will help us attract better quality players.

"I want to get Lee Worgan and Sam Adams on new contracts.

"But we are ready for the premier. The three teams that went up last season, including Horsham, finished in the top half. None of them are better than us.

"It is my first full season as a manager and I will never forget it. The turning points came when we beat Whyteleafe in November with a last-minute goal, which filled us with self-belief, and the appointments of my brother Norman as assistant and Gareth Sefton as coach."

Ssustaining decent football at Imperial Fields was prohibited by a hard, bobbly pitch which, as Kane put it, "had more sand on it than Camber Sands".

Both sides had to launch the ball long. The difference was that when Hastings went forward they had Olorunda, who was a constant menace with his pace, strength and direct running.

He put Hastings ahead in the 56th minute after taking advantage of an ill-advised headed back pass by Joe Vines, who misjudged an exaggerated bounce.

Ten minutes later, Olorunda was pulled back by Oliver Hunt, who was sent off, and Lee Carey converted the penalty.

Tooting and Mitcham hot-shot Paul Joyce has scored 42 goals in a remarkable season before Saturday's encounter but Ray and Co. kept him quiet.

And when Terrors did threaten, United goalkeeper Worgan was there to deny them, particularly in the final quarter when the hosts launched an attempted salvage operation.

Above all, though, the win was a collective effort done the hard way, just like the semi-final victory against Dover Athletic. Hastings have proved that a will to win can make up for lack of cash in a division which features several clubs with financial muscle.

Chairman Dave Walters shares Kane's wishes to improve the squad but also has an eye on a new £7m-plus stadium, funded by the sale of their Pilot Field home. For now promotion celebrations and planning for the premier will do.

Tooting and Mitcham: King; Hartburn (Broomhead 83), Hamlin, York, McLeod, Hunt, Green, J. Vines, P. Vines, Allen, (Darko 60), Carroll (Pinnock 60), Subs not used: Findlay, Day.

Hastings United: Worgan; Spice, Elford, Whyborne, Ray, Williams, Ellis (Eldridge 77), T. Olorundoa A. Olorunda (Bradley 86), Rose (Cruttenden 90), Carey. Subs unused: Sims, Harris-Green.

Referee: Mr D Rock.

Man-of-the-Match: Ade Olorunda Attendance: 1,132.