Hundreds of Ebbsfleet fans are following their team to Sutton on Saturday for a title decider which no-one outside the club wants them to win.

That, at least, is the view of Fleet manager Daryl McMahon at the end of a week in which the U’s were labelled ‘people’s choice’ to clinch the National League South title.

The championship rivals go into the showdown level on points although Sutton’s goal-difference saw them go top on Monday night.

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Fleet held the No.1 spot for seven months but Sutton, who have a game in hand, are unbeaten in 23 league matches – a run which stretches back to the start of November.

A crowd of 3,000 is expected at Gander Green Lane. Fleet will take up to 10 coachloads while a similar number of supporters will travel by road and rail.

McMahon said: "These are the best games, especially when everyone’s against you. I think people probably don’t want us to win, they’d prefer Sutton to win.

"It’s a pressure we’ve dealt with all season and we’ll have to show our mettle again on Saturday.

"There’s a perception out there against us that we can’t do anything about.

"As a club, we do things the right way all the time, on and off the pitch, as players and as people. It’s just a perception that people want to make up around us.

"I’m not bothered. I only care what people who know me think, rather than people who don’t know me or the group of players or the club."

McMahon expects a cagey game between sides who have lost only nine league games between them all season. One of Sutton’s four losses was a 1-0 reverse at Stonebridge Road in September.

"We’re two good teams," McMahon said. "They’re a powerful, pacy team and we’ll play a different way against them to how other teams have because we’ve got different personnel.

"Both teams have got players capable of scoring and creating goals. It should be a good game but it’s hard to tell what they’re going to do.

"There’s been a lot made about Sutton being on a great run but they’re on the same points as us. We’re not bad either.

"It’s in their hands. It’s up to Sutton to lose now and the pressure’s not on us any more. We go into Saturday as underdogs."

Dean Rance is suspended but Fleet have defenders Kenny Clark and Anthony Acheampong available after injury.