Daryl McMahon gave credit to Sutton after they ended Ebbsfleet's 11-match unbeaten run on Saturday.

A late goal from Tom Bolarinwa earned the U's a win which lifted them back up to third in the National League.

Fleet weren't at their best but Sutton, who arrived winless in five, responded well to five changes made by manager Paul Doswell.

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McMahon said: "We were a bit lacklustre but give credit to Sutton as well. They've defended deep, made it hard for us and we haven't been clinical.

"We weren't as good as we have been playing. I don't think we hit the levels we've been hitting in the last three months but we've been on a great run.

"Sutton defended well, were dogged and countered well.

"Where they've been on a poor run, we always knew Sutton would resort to type. They've always been resilient, hard to break down, defend deep, good pace in the team.

"Six weeks ago they were top of the table. They're a good side and Dos has done a good job."

Sickness forced Andy Drury out of the game at half-time, moments after Sean Shields had gone off injured.

"We couldn't find any room," McMahon admitted. "We missed Jukebox today. He's been ill all week and we chucked him in to see if he could get through the game but he couldn't.

"He was struggling with his energy levels and we missed him to give us a bit more composure and unlock the game for us."

Fleet are now outside the play-offs on goal-difference but they do have a game in hand.

McMahon said: "Going into the last two games, technically it's in our hands to get in the play-offs but as long as we perform properly in the last two games and work hard, we'll see where we end up.

"We want to get into the top 10, like I've been saying all season. If we can finish any higher, great, but there's no pressure on us to get into the play-offs.

"We're down to the bare bones and the players have been outstanding. We'll try to win every game we can between now and the end of the season - and further if we can go further.

"We're not guaranteed top 10 yet. That was the aim in the changing-room at the start of the season and we've got to maintain that.

"I've said it many a time, people get carried away sometimes. We lose a couple and we're getting relegated, win a few and you're going to win the league. As a group, we've been quite level-headed all season and we'll continue to be.

"We can't change everyone getting excited because we're on a good run but it's not doom and gloom when you lose either. We've got to build slowly to make sure we're a competitive team going forward into the future."

"I'm not saying I'd turn it down," he added. "But at the start of the season, it wasn't probably expected of us. It probably wasn't expected of us two months ago either.

"Speaking to some of the fans before the game, they said they would have taken 15th place and now we're on the edge of it, we can't become nervous about it.

"We've got to enjoy it. We've got nothing to lose with two games to go.

"You get teams that have been up there all season and they've fallen out. We've got to just enjoy the last two games and they'll be two tough games. It's a busy week.

"We're doing over a thousand miles going to Gateshead and then down to Torquay but we'll embrace it and see what happens."