Chipstead boss Nicky English has not ruled out securing a play-off side after his side picked up their fourth victory in a row over Whitstable Town on Saturday.

Scott Simpson's brace and a Lee Sidwell strike was enough to give the Chips a 3-1 victory and push them to within six points off the play-offs.

Chipstead's lofty position is even more amazing considering they lost their opening six matches in Ryman League Division One South after winning promotion from the Combined Counties League last season.

An impressive upturn in fortunes has seen English's side lose just four of their past 17 league games, the Chips boss says his side.

"If sides like Kingstonian or Met Police were in the same position as us - people would say they are primed for a play-off push," said English.

"But because it is Chipstead no-one expects it.

"I think we can get 62 to 66 points this season and, with the league being as open as it is, I think that could be good enough.

"I am certainly not ruling out the play-offs."

English points to the return to the side of Danny Oakins, Fred Fleming, Scott Simpson, Bradley Drake and Stephen Boswell as the main reason for their dramatic rise up the table.

"It was difficult at the start of the season because we were without five players, who I saw were vital to the way I wanted to play," said English.

"But now we have got some of those back we looked a lot better.

"The Ryman League was a shock to us at first because we weren't used to the pace, strength and ability of the players at this level.

"But I changed the system slightly and we have become a different side."

Chipstead travel to Kingstonian on Saturday.

Ryman League updates: yourlocalguardian.co.uk