Jake Leberl reckons the Dons’ veteran defenders could be the deciding factor as the Blue Square South title race enters its final stages.

With ten games left to play AFC are handily placed, with the division seemingly set to be a dogfight between Wimbledon and Hampton & Richmond.

And with nine clean sheets in their last 15 league games, Leberl is confident that the Dons hold all the aces.

He said: “With players like Jason Goodliffe, Ben Judge and myself we have all played at a higher level and it really is a case of been there, seen it and done it.

“We all know what we are doing.

“Then if you supplement that with the likes of Mickey Haswell, Andy Sambrook and Alan Inns that is a really strong base to build from.

“We know we should have chipped in with a few more goals from set-pieces, but we have been excellent defensively.

“Stuart Cash does some drills with us in training, but to be honest we know what needs to be done - it’s just a case of whether the legs can do it!”

Leberl, having claimed a Conference winner’s medal with Dagenham & Redbridge, is well aware of what is expected at the higher level.

And he admits that if the Dons are to go up, they can expect a rough ride.

He added: “The biggest thing you notice when you step up a level is just how physical sides are.

“Players are much stronger and quicker.

“Most of them are full-time professionals, and they do not tire in the last 20 minutes like a lot of teams in this league.

“Also, and this is a bit strange, I think there is a lot less football played.

“So if we do go up I think Terry will have to look to strengthen in a number of areas.”

But for now the 31-year-old is solely focused on making sure the Dons go up, and Leberl feels AFC need to move through the gears.

He added: “I reckon we have had a bit of luck over the last month - a few penalty decisions have gone our way for example.

“At Havant I honestly thought they were playing for a draw, and we couldn’t break them down.

“But there are still 30 points left to play for, and a lot can still happen, and we need to stay on guard.”

Is Leberl right? Will the Dons need to overhaul their squad to survive at a higher level? Have your say below.