Jay Saunders backed Sutton to win the league after their 2-1 victory at Maidstone on Tuesday night.

Boss Saunders felt the occasion got to some of his players as Stones trailed their title rivals 2-0 inside nine minutes.

But he was quick to praise the visitors as they extended their unbeaten run to 21 games, despite playing more than an hour with 10 men after Kevin Amankwaah was sent off for lashing out at Lee Worgan.

The U's are now three points behind National League South leaders Ebbsfleet with two games in hand and Saunders feels Paul Doswell's team will take the title.

He said: "They're on that run at the moment where they’ve just got that confidence and probably that bit of arrogance that they know if they get a goal up or two goals up, they’re going to be solid and win games.

"I think personally you’re looking at the champions tonight.

"They’re a hell of a side. Dos has done a great job.

"He’s got good players in, good experience, with legs around them, pace, power and I think they look a very good side."

Stones replied at the end through Vas Karagiannis but were well beaten in front of a Gallagher Stadium record crowd of 3,030.

Saunders, whose side are already assured of a play-off place, said: "I just think too many lads have gone missing a little bit tonight.

"The occasion got to too many of them and at times it looked like the experience of Sutton really shone through.

"We’ve given them the two goals and, at that point, against a side that aren’t conceding many and on the run they’re on, you kind of stand there thinking that’s game over.

"I just feel a little bit gutted for the players because I know they can produce better than that and on the night it’s got to them but we’ll be okay."

Read the match report from Tuesday night's game