Sutton United boss Paul Doswell reckons his side’s next three games are crucial to the success of their season.

Doswell’s men have only won one league game in October and not secured three points since the Gander Green Lane manager picked up the Ryman Premier Division manager of the month award.

Karl Murray secured a 1-1 draw with Cray Wanderers on Saturday, before he was on the mark again to add to Richard Jolly’s opener in Tuesday’s 2-2 draw with in-form Tonbridge Angels.

It has moved Sutton level on points with league leaders Kingstonian, but Doswell insists he will be happier if his side can get back on a similar winning run to that with which they opened the campaign.

“The next three games are actually pretty crucial to our season,” he said.

“We’d like to go a long way in the FA Trophy and then if we win the next two league games after that we will be top of the league.

“If you’d said to me that after a third of the season we would be top with 31 points - having already played Kingstonian, Lowestoft and Tonbridge - I would gladly have taken that.

“For a team that are notorious for finishing the season stronger than we start it that is brilliant. We are not firing on all cylinders and we will only get better.”

A controversial late penalty denied United a welcome win on Tuesday, but Doswell - who hailed Murray’s return to form - was not too downbeat.

“The penalty decision perplexed everyone in the ground, but that happens,” he added.

“It was a great advert for non-League football. We’ve watched them before and Tonbridge proved again that they are one of the best three teams in this league.

“You have to give Karl credit because he was on a slippery slope towards Ryman Division One South and beyond.

“I wasn’t impressed when I had him on loan last year, but he has put his mind to being the good footballer we know he is.”

But even his form won’t stop Doswell from strengthening his squad.

“The last two games we’ve only had 14 players. We’ve got quality, but we haven’t got any depth,” he said.

“We are well within budget and can bring players in. I’ve got a seven-day approach for one player and am talking to another.”

Sutton’s next three games: Oct 30 Evesham United (FAT, a), Nov 3 Croydon Athletic (a), 6 Maidstone United (a).