Paul Doswell reckons his new-look midfield could be the key to Sutton United staging a successful Ryman Premier play-off surge this season.

United stunned league leaders Dartford 2-0 in Kent on Saturday, hoisting themselves up to fifth in the table.

And with a three-man partnership of Alan Pouton, Francis Quarm and Sonny Cobbs pulling all of the strings, the Sutton boss admits keeping them healthy is his prime concern.

Doswell said: “We have a nice balance of experience and ability in that midfield and it is really paying dividends.

“With Alan you know exactly what you are going to get.

“Everything he does is quality - it is just a shame we cannot get more out of him.

“If his knees held up I am sure he would still be playing league football so we have to manage his time very carefully.

“Francis has come in and given us a new dimension and it is no surprise we have won all four games since his arrival.

“He brings a calmness and an energy to the midfield that you just cannot buy - not everybody knew about him but I certainly did.

“Throw in Sonny Cobbs and then our pace out on the flanks and it is a great unit - one of the best in the league.”

Sam Gargan and James Norwood fired the weekend goals as Sutton continued their excellent run of form.

And Doswell admitted the win ranked alongside his better days as United boss.

He added: “The result was right up there with Dover last season, Hampton in the cup and Wealdstone this year.

“It was a great win but it is still only one win in the scheme of things.

“We have to remember we are in a real snakes and ladders league this season - win a game and you go up three places, lose a game and you drop four, and the real key is consistency.”

Sutton face another tough test when they hosts play-off rivals Hastings United this weekend.

But the Gander Green Lane boss is refusing to talk it up more than any other fixture.

Doswell added: “Obviously it will be difficult but pretty much every game in this division is.

“I know it is a cliche but every game is just as important as the next as they all impact on our league position.

“We just have to keep stringing results together and pushing on.”

Sutton United’s next three matches: Feb 13 Hastings United (h), 16 Harrow Borough (h), 20 Tooting & Mitcham (a)