St Albans City manager Ian Allinson has described the potential of the club as amazing after the team pulled off the great escape by avoiding relegation on the final day of the season.

The Saints were facing demotion when Allinson was appointed as boss in February with the team bottom of the National League South.

But Allinson has overseen a remarkable turnaround with seven wins and two draws from their last ten league matches helping them avoid the drop.

Their 4-0 win at home to Dartford on Saturday ensured survival with the side finishing 18th in the table.

The Saints had their biggest league attendance for nine years with 1,310 supporters at Clarence Park and their manager believes there is great potential at the club.

Allinson said: "That's what I said after the game to the players that the potential of this football club is amazing. We were in a relegation battle and the one thing is it's not a celebration.

"For me it's not a celebration. It's about preparing now for next season because I certainly don't want to be fighting a relegation battle for the last ten games."

The Saints boss has not set specific targets for next season but wants the team to set their sights much higher and believes this will help keep fans coming back to Clarence Park.

Allinson said: "It's a lot easier at the top and once you stay there it's easier to stay there because teams become a little bit frightened of you. We've seen with the crowd today with 1,300 people turning up for a relegation battle and they've been absolutely magnificent.

"The potential is here and we can bring the crowds in and we've got to go and get a side now that they are going to be proud of and get into the top half of the division.

"If you get there you start pressing for play-off positions and if we can do that I'm sure the crowd can grow even more."

City's opening goal came after 17 minutes when Lee Chappell's cross was turned into his own net by defender Tom Wynter.

The hosts doubled their lead at the start of the second half when substitute Becka-Kah Dembele's attempted clearance ended up in his own net.

Harry Anderson created the third goal when he set up Supporters' and Players' Player of the year Louie Theophanous for his 22nd goal of the season.

A glorious day for the Saints was rounded off in the 85th minute when James Kaloczi headed in their fourth goal.

Allinson said: "To go and win seven games, draw two and lose one of the last ten games is outstanding from the players.

"They've listened to what we've tried to teach them, got their heads down and worked extremely hard and got their rewards."