Barnet captain Charlie MacDonald hopes to remain at The Hive following an injury disrupted season and has backed the Bees to adapt to life in League Two.

The 34-year-old striker was restricted to 30 Conference appearances as Barnet were promoted back into the Football League after two years away, with knee and calf injuries restricting the number of appearances he made.

However, the Southwark-born goal-getter is keen to extend his stay at Barnet after signing one-year contract last summer following his release by Oldham Athletic.

Asked following Saturday's 2-0 victory over Gateshead which clinched the club’s third Conference title whether he would like to prolong his Barnet career, he replied: “I hope to stay. I'll have to sit down with the gaffer.

“I've enjoyed it, injuries aside, and I feel I have a lot more to offer. Fingers crossed something gets sorted out.”

And MacDonald, who has made more than 250 appearances in the Football League, believes there is no reason why the Bees cannot make an impression next season in League Two.

Head coach Martin Allen deliberately lined up a tough pre-season schedule last summer against predominantly Football League opposition and MacDonald believes those games have stood the Bees in good stead.

He explained: “I don't want to disrespect League Two but the gulf between the leagues is not great.

“With the bulk of this squad and a few additions we can have a go. Luton Town showed great form from the winning mentality. We've played Wycombe Wanderers twice and there was nothing between us until the sending off in the FA Cup.

“We know we can have a right go,” he added.

As one of a handful of experienced heads in the team, MacDonald has already experienced title wins in his career but the former Brentford and MK Dons hitman insists this is his best achievement yet.

“I won League Two with Brentford, the Dr Martens Premier Division with Crawley Town and was part of the Charlton Athletic team that went up to the Premier League,” reeled off MacDonald.

“But this is up there with the highest because captaining this group of players all season has been fantastic.

“The ability we have in this dressing room is second to none but we're a bunch of winners. We might have lost more games than others but we've won more than others and that's why we're promoted.”

He added: “It's a great feeling winning titles. A lot of footballers go through their careers not winning anything. It's the first time for some of these young boys and I'm sure they'll go and produce more special moments through their careers.”

The Bees’ longest-serving player, Mauro Vilhete, proved to be the match winner on Saturday, scoring either side of half-time, and MacDonld could not hide his delight for the Portuguese utility man.

He enthused: “He has been brilliant. I have got a lot of time for Mauro. He's training day in day out and he's got his rewards today. He's been in and out through the season but we have not lost many when he has played.”