Sutton United boss Paul Doswell reckons an FA Trophy replay exit at the hands of Eastleigh means his men are not far off a Blue Square South return.

Doswell’s men were held to a 1-1 draw in Hampshire on Saturday, before being humbled 4-0 at home by the manager's former club on Tuesday night to crash out of the first round proper.

The Spitfires, who go through to face Worcester City, are expected to be one of the Blue Square South play-off challengers come the end of the season.

And the Gander Green Lane chief insists one or two changes to the current squad will see his side capable of competing in the league above - should they get there.

“If we are honest the first game was our best opportunity to get through and we’d pretty much done the job,” he said.

“For 40 minutes on Tuesday we were more than in it. They’ll be top six or seven at the end of the season, so I think we can compete at that level.

“I think we need one or two more faces to give us that strength in depth to make sure we can, but apart from that this squad is just about there.

“On any given day and when everyone is fit and healthy, we are good enough.”

Sam Page, Andy Forbes and Craig Dundas - who scored at the weekend - climbed off their sick beds to perform on Tuesday night, but were unable to deliver a repeat of Saturday’s heroic performance.

Defender Simon Downer (groin) and midfielder Karl Murray (hip) are expected to miss the weekend visit of AFC Hornchurch, but should be ready to face Carshalton Athletic over Christmas.

And Doswell, who could lose on-loan striker Andy Forbes in January, revealed he is in the market for re-enforcements to help his men secure Ryman Premier League promotion in the second half of the campaign.

“There are still 24 games to go. I think 88 or 90 points will win us the league so there are plenty of points to play for still,” he added.

“I’m talking to one player about coming back and we are going to have to see how Andy’s situation at Woking pans out, but I can’t see anything changing too much before the weekend.”

Sutton’s next three games: Dec 18 AFC Hornchurch, 21 Molesey (Surrey Senior Cup, a), 27 Carshalton Athletic (a).