Alton manager Kevin Adair was pleased to end the season on a winning note after his side won a five-goal thriller at AFC Croydon Athletic in the Combined Counties Premier Division South on Monday.

The Brewers fell behind on 18 minutes when Jack Marney headed home for Croydon, but the visitors equalised just before half-time through Louis Russell’s header.

Russell scored again on 62 minutes to put Alton ahead, but Michael Redfearn made it 2-2 in the 69th minute.

It looked like the spoils would be shared, but Jack Fowler scored a late winner.

The three points sealed a 13th-place finish for Alton in the Combined Counties Premier Division South.

“People remember how you end the season, so it’s good to end with a win,” said Adair.

“Louis has been really important for the group this season, so I was pleased for him.

“We’ve scored a late winner – four months ago that probably wouldn’t have happened.

“It was difficult to build our mentality in the first four months of the season when there was no continuity in the side, but we’ve built it now and in the past nine games our form has been excellent.”

Adair is expecting a busy summer at Anstey Park and is still none the wiser on whether the Brewers will remain in the Combined Counties next season or be moved back to the Wessex League.

Alton were moved to the Combined Counties only last summer, and Adair is desperate to avoid more upheaval.

“We took it on the chin last summer but we will contest it this time if the FA try to move us again,” said Adair.

“We will have to cover 372 more miles if we’re moved to the Wessex League. I think it’s highly unfair. We’re a stable club with a good facility, a stable fan base, good sponsors and a stable youth section.

“There’s no summer break for us. I’ve got two lists of players to talk to – one for the Combined Counties and one for the Wessex League.

“I also need to talk to the players we already have here and reassure them.”