St Albans City joint manager James Gray believes the season has come to an end too soon but hopes his team can take their momentum into the next campaign.

The Saints ended their first campaign back in the Conference South following promotion with four consecutive victories after a 3-0 win at Hayes & Yeading United on Saturday. City ended 13th in the table and Gray is positive about the club’s future after the way the Saints finished the season.

Gray said: “I think the supporters can see we’ve come quite a long way this season.

“That’s what we're trying to do down here. We’ve always said it’s a plan and hopefully next season we can progress again as a club on and off the pitch. That’s what we’re trying to aim for.”

The Saints boss said: “It’s great form and we’d probably be top of the form guide. I’m disappointed we lost to Bishop’s Stortford because otherwise myself and Graham Golds might have been getting the manager of the month award. We haven’t won one of those this season.

“Week after week we’ve been looking for the consistency and I think we’ve just about found it. The season is coming to an end too soon for us. We’re going to lose this momentum over the summer but hopefully we can keep it and think back to it as soon as pre-season starts and we can get ourselves in the right frame of mind for next season.”

Gray expects some of his players to be in demand this summer and his priority is to ensure he keeps the squad together at Clarence Park for next season.

The manager said: “My main concern is trying to keep hold of the ones I’ve got because I've already spoken to my lot and I know a lot of clubs are chasing them. Whether we can keep them financially could be a problem because there are a lot more clubs with bigger pulling power financially than we have.

“We’re going to have to work with what we’ve got again but I’ve told every single one of them we’re back pre-season. I’ll speak individually to them over the next few weeks before I go away.”

Although the Saints have lacked consistency this season, Gray’s side have proved they can match the best teams in the division on their day. The Saints boss accepts it has been a steep learning curve following promotion but is encouraged by the team’s development.

“The biggest bonus from this season is we can adapt and match the top sides in this league,” Gray said.

“I’ve been crying out for consistency all season and it’s taken us until now to find it. It took us a long time to realise what the requirements are for this level.

“I still think we’re learning. Who knows? Next season could be a very good one or a very poor one. I don’t know but I feel we’ve learnt quite a lot this season. As a learning curve in management it's been invaluable.

“The majority of the squad have never played at this level and they’re finding out what it takes now. It’s not about selfish football where you’re playing for yourself. It has to be a team effort right from the top to the bottom.”

St Albans’ season was petering out with a couple of months remaining. But Gray set his players several targets and the team responded with the extra incentives undoubtedly helping.

He said: “I set them targets with about eight games left of the season so I gave them a points total of over 50 points, five clean sheets and wanted to turn the negative goal difference into a positive one. I'm getting told a zero goal difference is a positive one and not a negative one but they’re after me.

“Most of them are going to Ibiza for an end of season do and want some extra coffers so I’ll see what the owners can do for me. I put my big mouth in it and I’m going to have to try to stand by it or my credentials will go down the pan.”