Guernsey FC will have a second season in the Southern Combination Premier Division after losing their play-off final 4-1 to Peacehaven and Telscombe.
It means the Sussex side will win promotion to the eighth tier Isthmian League South East.
Despite finishing third in the division – two places and six points above their opponents – it was Peacehaven who impressed at Victoria Park.
Guernsey’s Charlton Gauvain saw a volley flash just wide of the far post after six minutes while Sam Murray had a goal chalked off for offside soon after for the hosts.
Callum Edwards’ curling left-footed effort hit the Guernsey post after 26 minutes as Peacehaven had their first decent chance.
But Edwards made no mistake in a key seven-minute period at the end of the first half as he put his side ahead when he slotted into the bottom corner in the 40th minute.
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Guernsey almost equalised five minutes later when Allen had a header tipped over the bar, but Peacehaven delivered a hammer blow in stoppage time as Connor Tighe beat the onrushing Josh Addison to a long ball before slotting into an empty net.
The final – which was delayed by a fortnight after travel issues – was settled as a contest five minutes into the second half when Edwards got his second goal as he fired in a loose ball in the penalty area.
It was 4-0 midway through the second half when Ross Barclay got on the end of Edwards’ floated free kick into the Guernsey box.
Fin Du Port got a consolation for the hosts with 17 minutes left when he guided in Gauvain’s corner from the edge of the penalty area.
But it was not enough as the Peacehaven avenged their 6-0 loss at Victoria Park less than two months ago and earned promotion after finishing fifth in the division.