The conference was certainly no bed of roses for Us, but a run to the semi-finals of the FA Trophy was scant consolation for their efforts.

Rains' men were always playing catch-up after only securing two points from their first six conference games.

But just as Us were getting into their stride and poised go on a run that would help them survive, along came the FA Trophy. Victories over Salisbury, Canvey and Dover gave the Us a crack at trophy favourites Rushden at Gander Green Lane.

After a 1-1 draw, Us produced the result of the competition so far with a morale-boosting 3-1 success at Nene Park, giving them a two-legged semi-final with neighbours Kingstonian.

But after a 1-1 draw in the home leg with Geoff Chapple's men, United were thrashed 6-0 (7-1 on aggregate)

And league form was always a worry for the Sutton supporters as the side earned only eight points from six games in March.

With at least ten points needed from the last seven games to be safe, tiredness started to play a factor, with three league games in four days.

United, needing at least two wins, lost the lot.

In that disastrous spell, Us took over 450 minutes to score a league goal - not exactly the kind of record that spurs optimism.

The final straw was a 4-1 defeat at the hands of Hereford at Edgar Street which typified a season that promised so much early on.

Changes will have to be made if Us are to match the form of the previous season when they won the Ryman league title.