Banstead Athletic have applied for a return to the Ryman League Division One next season eight months after taking voluntary relegation.

Seven other clubs in the Combined Counties Premier Division - including league leaders Chipstead - have also taken the step to ensure promotion is an option should they finish top of the table.

The Merland Rise outfit are enjoying a run of seven straight league wins which has fired them into the top five.

And with Chipstead unlikely to meet Ryman League ground requirements for the step up, boss Graeme Banyard's side are well placed to bounce back at the first attempt.

But the Banstead chief insists their application is a simple case of bureaucracy and doesn't mean they would definitely accept the offer of a move up a division.

"We have to apply to the FA to be considered for promotion should we finish in the relevant place and this is really just a formality," he said.

"We have the potential to finish in the top five and some important games over Christmas will decide how close we can get to going up.

"If we do finish in a position where returning to the Ryman League is an option, we will sit down with the committee and see where we go from there, because we will probably need to bring in more players."

Banstead came within eight minutes of forcing extra-time against Ryman League Premier Division outfit AFC Wimbledon in the Surrey Senior Cup on Tuesday.

Striker Marcus Campbell gave Banstead the lead in front of 551 fans at Kingsmeadow with a 35th minute penalty, but the Dons hit back twice through Steve Goddard to lead 2-1 early in the second half.

Campbell's strike partner Paul Hunt equalised, but Anthony Howard responded and Goddard completed his hat-trick in the dying seconds to make it 4-2.

It left Banyard in confident mood ahead of Saturday's trip to Chipstead, who suffered only their second defeat of the season last week.

He said: "Wimbledon tore us apart at times but I was proud of the boys' performance."

"If we can put the same effort and commitment into Saturday's game we have a good chance of turning them over.

"Our defeats at the start of the season may have cost us but a win over Chipstead would open up the title race."