Tooting & Mitcham boss Billy Smith has vowed to keep hold of star striker Paul Vines as a host of clubs sniff round the hotshot forward.

Vines grabbed the winner in Tooting's narrow 3-2 victory over bottom side Corinthian Casuals on Saturday - taking his tally for the season to 17 in all competitions.

Having made an impressive impact at Imperial Fields, other clubs are starting to show an interest in the 23-year-old front man.

Ryman Premier Division South side Tonbridge Angels and Division One South side Cray Wanderers are said to be keeping tabs on the striker, but Smith believes it is imperative that Vines stays with the Terrors.

He said: "When Paul came to us he was very raw, but we stuck with him and he has come good.

"We have had a few enquires from other clubs about him but we want him to stay here and I know he wants to do so.

"There will come a time when bigger teams will fancy him and come in for him but at the present moment he is here and he wants to stay with us."

Smith also had special praise for Saturday's two-goal hero Vernon Francis.

"Vernon has been fantastic this year and he was again at the weekend," said Smith.

"He took both his goals, particularly the second one, extremely well.

"He likes to bomb forward so it's important for us to have a couple of holding players around him to give him the licence to go on runs.

"But we have got the players here who can do that job."

Saturday's last gasp victory saw the debut of left-back Nathan Simpson - who Smith has earmarked for the left- wing back slot after Craig Tanner left for Sutton United in October.

"I thought Nathan played well considering he didn't know anyone and it was his first game," said Smith.

"Since we lost Craig Tanner we have not had one left footer at the club and the balance of the side has suffered for it, so it's great to have him here."

Despite Tooting's poor league position of 16th, Smith insists his side can still be involved in the promotion shake-up come the end of the season.

The Terrors, who host struggling Ashford Town on Saturday, have played four games less than some of their rivals and Smith said "We are searching for that consistency we need.

"If we win our games in hand we will shoot up the table so I certainly hope to be involved but it is very easy to say that.

"What we have to do it perform on the pitch."