Ebbsfleet Ebbsfleet manager Daryl McMahon has conceded the National League South title to Sutton United.

Fleet have topped the table for most of the season, at one point boasting a 12-point lead, but after relinquishing it to United last week, the north Kent side went down 2-0 at their rivals on Saturday to open a three-point deficit with one game to play.

United, with a +13 superior goal difference, have two games to play and, despite the possibility of a three-point deduction at the hands of an FA charge for fielding an ineligible player earlier in the season, they know that one more win will seal the title.

It left McMahon lauding United as champions, and preparing his side for the lottery of the play-offs.

“Sutton United will be champions and congratulations to them,” he said.

“They have been on a fantastic run and had a great season. It’s been the two of us all the way - it’s been a good fight, a long fight and we have to get ready for the play-offs.”

He added: “Yes, we were a long away ahead, but they had up to six games in hand so it was always a distorted looking league table.

“Besides which, we drew too many in that period.”

Despite a promising open 15 minutes when both Matt Godden and Sean Shields tested United keeper Ross Worner, Fleet were well beaten by a side boasting a run of 24 league games unbeaten.

The hosts took the lead mid-way through the first half through Dan Fitchett, and Bedsente Gomis made it 2-0 from the spot on the stroke of half-time after Bryan van den Bogaert was adjudged to have fouled Fitchett.

McMahon said: “Once we conceded the first goal they took control of the game, and we never really got going. Then the goal just before half-time was a killer.

“At 1-0, it can make a massive difference, it can make them a little bit edgy, but at 2-0 up they have that cushion and they never let us get going in the second half.”

He added: “We have plenty of time to pick ourselves up for the play-offs.

“We’re feeling down after the result – as is everyone involved in the club, but we need to move forward.

“What’s in the past has happened and we need to look to the future.”