Paul Doswell heaped praise on his coaching staff after Sutton United reached the fourth qualifying round of the FA Cup.

The 2-1 replay win over Hemel Hemel Hempstead on Monday means United have lost just once in eight games in all competitions.

Moreover, in that time, they have conceded just seven goals, compared to the previous eight games, where they shipped 11 goals.

Doswell said: “A lot of credit has to go to the coaching staff. [Ian] Baird recognised we were conceding goals too easily.

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“We’ve worked the back four, and that had stopped.

“In football, if you don’t keep clean sheets you are never going to win games.

“We were too open – it’s too much of my trademark of wanting to entertain – and we’ve worked very hard on the back four and the shape of the team.”

He added: “Bringing Craig Eastmond and getting Bedsente Gomis back have given us better legs in the midfield.

“Additionally, the team is more together and understand what their roles are.”

Doswell is without Simon Downer and Jamie Collins (suspension) for Saturday’s trip to Bath City, although Gomis returned from suspension, and Louis John is back in the squad.

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After the win over Hemel, setting up a shot at the first round proper against Aldershot on October 24, Doswell said: “At this stage of the competition, it is just really important to get through.

“There have been tough draws all the way through. Hemel are a decent side, with decent players, and we were not at our best in either game but we found a way to win.

“We didn’t have the best of starts on Monday, but the lads worked it out as the game went on, and we were worthy winners.”