Ebbsfleet United manager Danny Searle reacts to avoiding relegation in the National League after 0-0 draw at Boreham Wood on final day

Keeping Ebbsfleet in the National League was the best day of manager Danny Searle’s career in football.

Against the odds, Searle has brilliantly guided the Fleet to safety after they were heading towards relegation when he took charge in early February.

They were comfortable for large periods of a goalless draw at Boreham Wood on Saturday, a result which saw the Fleet stay up and their hosts relegated.

“This is definitely the best day so far for me in my career,” said Searle.

“I’ve been fortunate to be involved in some really big games and play-off finals. But, for me, you have to put it into context of where we were when I came in and where we are now.

“Everyone had written us off and it was just a matter of time, as opposed to if we could stay up. For me, it’s phenomenal and to celebrate with the fans in the way we did and the noise they make means it is definitely right up there.”

Ebbsfleet celebrated like they had won the league at the final whistle – and rightly so after a gruelling final few weeks of the campaign.

Searle admitted he was caught up in the emotion of it all, and he wasn’t going to apologise for savouring the moment.

“We’ve won our own little mini-league because that what it became at the end of the season – our own little mini-league to survive and that’s what we’ve done,” he added.

“We’ve come out on top. From my perspective, I don’t know how you can sum up those emotions. You become like a little kid, all the reasons you love football and support your team and fall in love with the game, they all come to fruition when you do something like that.

“You almost become a fan. I was like a fan with all the players at the end – it was great and I’m immensely proud of everyone.”

Ebbsfleet United survive a