Sutton United boss Paul Doswell knew when the National League South title was in the bag, and it was a long time before the vital win over Ebbsfleet.

The league champions ended the season on Saturday with consecutive win number seven, thanks to Tom Bolarinwa’s strike in a 1-0 win at Oxford City.

The victory also extended United’s unbeaten league run to 26 games – they had already eclipsed the league record of 24 games, but they have now also broken the club record of 25 games which has stood since 1986.

But United’s unbeaten run was only at 18 when a 2-2 draw at home to Whitehawk had Doswell starting to believe the title was up for grabs.

Then, in match number 21, the 2-1 win at Maidstone, the manager insists he knew they would go on and win promotion as champions.

“Coming back from 2-0 against a very good Whitehawk side and then almost grabbing the winner showed me the fighting qualities we had,” Doswell said.

“Then to win at Maidstone, given their own title aspirations and being a man down for much of the game, proved to me that we were unlikely to be beaten again.”

He added: “The win over Oxford City shows the players’ high levels of intensity, effort and commitment.

“To break the unbeaten run record is all credit to them. This club has been going for 118 years and it is a good club with some very good players in the past.

“That shows just how good this side is, and we want to keep it going come August 5.”

Despite the desire to hit the ground running in the National League, preparations are on hold temporarily with the players and staff set to enjoy a break in Marbella.

And while Doswell has tied down Bolarinwa, Craig Eastmond and Dan Wishart to two-year deals, he is confident of keeping the complete squad together.

“I believe this squad is good enough to make the step up, but we do want a 20-man squad so we have two players for each position,” he said.

“We have deals for a wide player and goal-scoring midfielder done and dusted, we’re just waiting on signatures, and we’re also looking for a left-sided full back.”

He added: “We have not had any enquiries for our players and it would take a lot for them to leave, I feel.

“It would need a League One or good League Two side to come in for them. I have one-to-ones with all the players, and they all want to stay.”