Potters Bar Town will play in step three of the non-league pyramid for the first ever after a 3-0 win over Barking secured automatic promotion from the Bostik North Division.

James Budden set them on their way in the first half before Eoin Casey hit a second-half double to spark wild celebrations from the travelling Bar Army.

The first chance fell to George Nicholas who shrugged off challenges and burst into the box but his shot from a tight angle went over.

The Scholars thought they had gone ahead in the 10th minute when Lee O’Leary slammed the ball home from a Sandro Costa Dias Fernandes through ball only to be denied by the linesman’s flag.

The match then descended into a midfield stalemate, with Nicholas, Fernandes and Billy Adcock probing for an opening.

The breakthrough finally came on 29 minutes when a corner from Michael Murray was whipped in and Budden nodded home.

Sean Grace volleyed over and Murray forced goalkeeper Chris Clarke into a fingertip save as the half closed with Bar well on top.

It took just five minutes after the restart for the Scholars to double their advantage.

Casey had already been thwarted by Clarke at this near post but the second chance was buried in style.

Barking continued to work hard but the visitors held firm despite their best efforts, regularly pulling everyone back behind the ball in an attempt to hold on to what they had.

Another foray forward from Town saw Clarke save magnificently from a curling Fernandes shot that was destined for the top corner.

But it was a momentary respite as from the corner Casey once more beat the home defence and the keeper to put them 3-0 up and heading to the next level.