JAMAR Smith’s first half penalty proved the difference as Didcot Town sealed a return to step three of the non-league system for the first time in 12 years.

After beating Ware 1-0 in a play-off final on home soil this afternoon, next season will be the first time Jamie Heapy’s side have played at that high a level since suffering relegation in 2011.

Heapy named an unchanged line-up from the semi-final win at home to Walthamstow, as a crowd of 1,938 watched on at the Loop Meadow Stadium.

The first sight of goal came the way of the Railwaymen when Joshua Hedges got in behind and his cross-shot from the right-hand side was parried away by Frederick Burbidge with two minutes on the clock.

Hedges continued to be a threat as he tricked his way into the penalty box, with Matthew Hall forcing the ball behind for an early corner which came to nothing.

With 10 minutes played, Hedges slammed the crossbar with a dipping effort from 30 yards after excellently winning a loose ball in midfield.

The visitors, beaten in last season’s play-off final against North Leigh, threatened for the first time after quarter of an hour when Joel Jacobs hung in a cross from the left but it sailed over the heads in the box.

With 21 minutes played, Didcot took the lead when Smith coolly converted from 12 yards after Patrick Osborne was pulled down in the box.

At the other end, Daniel Rumens tested Leigh Bedwell with a low effort from outside the area, but the home goalkeeper was able to get down to his left and take the ball with ease.

Just before half-time, Richard Bryan saw a fizzing 20-yard effort deflect off a Didcot man and out for a corner, before Brandon Adams hooked an effort into the grateful arms of Bedwell.

Ware came out looking for an equaliser straight away in the second period, with Adams testing Bedwell from the right-hand channel.

With an hour played, Adams again brought a save out of Bedwell when he was afforded time and space to shoot from 20 yards out, but the low stop was a simple one.

Visiting goalkeeper Burbidge could count himself a lucky man when he charged out of his goal and seemingly handled the ball, however the referee deemed that he made contact with his head.

The hosts then had a huge chance to double their lead when Hedges was denied by Burbidge with a left-footed strike, before James Glover fired over from the centre of the box when the goal was at his mercy.

The visitors looked to take control of the tie in the closing stages, but Didcot had the chance to effectively put the game to bed when Osborne released Hedges, who kept himself onside but couldn’t find a way past Burbidge when he was one-on-one with the goalkeeper.

Another huge opportunity came Didcot’s way when Osborne fought back to win the ball on the left before playing the ball across the six-yard box, however Hedges couldn’t get a toe on it at the back post.

Osborne then almost scored a stunning solo effort when he weaved infield from the right wing, however his left-footed strike sailed over the crossbar when he cut inside.

Six minutes of stoppage time were added on at the end of the 90 minutes, but despite a frantic end to the game which saw Theopilus Ofori tap wide at the back post, Didcot held on to seal their return to step three.