John Eliott hailed the impact of Tim O’Sullivan after Oxhey jets completed a miraculous South Midland League Premier Division survival act.

A 4-2 defeat of promoted Berkhamsted on Saturday, coupled with Stotfold’s goalless draw with Hoddesdon Town, was enough to ensure Jets stayed up by virtue of scoring more goals than Cockfosters.

O’Sullivan took over at Jets last month and Eliott is under no doubt about the impact the former Sun Sports boss has had on their fortunes.

“Without a doubt the change of manager made a big difference and there was a whole new atmosphere when Tim came in,” the general manager said.

“He had new tactics and went for it. He boosted the players and told them straight that they were underperforming.

“The team talk before the Berko game was one of the best I have seen at this level of football and the boys went out there with a never-say-die attitude.”

A 3-0 defeat of Hoddesdon last Thursday meant the win over Berko was enough to see them stay up by virtue of scoring four more goals than Cockfosters.

The overriding emotion for Eliott was one of relief after Jets pulled off an escape he scarcely thought would be possible.

“Relief is the main feeling. You say it is only football but you find yourself thinking about it during the day and at night time as well,” he said.

“In our whole history we have never gone down and never taken a step backwards in 48 years.

“You find yourself thinking would we be better going down, consolidating and going again? Your pride doesn’t want that, but you try to make the best of it.

“I honestly thought Stotfold would win their game and we would go down.”

The opposite turned out to be true as Stotfold failed to get the better of Hoddesdon and remained marooned at the foot of the table.

Eliott said waiting on Stotfold’s result to be finalised was a painful experience and one which he shared with the Jets players.

“It was horrible waiting for their result to come in. I didn’t want to be sat there wondering what was going on,” he said.

“Some of the lads were texting me saying I would rather be playing and trying to win our own destiny. Sitting there knowing it was out of our hands was a horrible feeling.”