Jimmy Cooper reckons the Met Police are on the verge of promotion after finally overcoming their play-off jinx on Tuesday night.

The Blues’ 1-0 win at Fleet Town sees them 90 minutes against Cray Wanderers away from strutting their stuff in the Ryman Premier.

And having fallen at the semi-final hurdle in three of the last four years, Cooper insists this year will be different.

He said: “The players are coming into form at exactly the right time.

“Cray may be the favourites, but we have played them twice this year and beaten them twice.

“For a long while they were our bogey side but we have put that to rest this season.

“The players are extremely confident, and I honestly think we will win.”

Gary Drewett was the hero at Fleet, grabbing the vital goal as the Blues won on the road.

And Cooper beamed with pride over the display.

He added: “I thought the workrate was phenomenal.

“It was our fourth clean sheet in a row, and that is always a foundation.

“It was a tough game, but I thought we fully merited our win.”

The Blues will certainly have a point to prove when they face Cray on Saturday, having been eliminated by Wanderers in last year’s play-offs.

But having for so long been the nearly men, Cooper insists that if they emerge triumphant at the weekend he will not be taking the credit.

He added: “The side are in the play-offs because the players deserve to be there.

“The only reason I do this job is because I want my players to be successful.

“I know when a side gets success, the manager is often the one to get the credit.

“But that is not the case here, as I want my players to get the plaudits.

“They are the ones delivering, and I think they can do it again at the weekend.”