Sutton United manager Paul Doswell hailed Ross Stearn's stunning strike "a goal of the season contender" after the U's beat Chester 3-2 last Saturday. 

First-half goals from Harry Beautyman and Byron Harrison gave Sutton a commanding 2-0 lead before James Akintunde reduced the arrears on the hour mark.

But Stearn's moment of magic in the 79th minute proved the game's decisive moment.

The winger looked up before curling a pinpoint 25-yard shot into the top corner of the net leaving Chester's on-loan Liverpool goalkeeper Andy Firth grasping at thin air.

A late penalty from Harry White gave the visitors hope, but the U's held on to claim the three points which put them back on top of the Vanarama National League, albeit for a few days. 

Stearn unexpectedly entered the fray as a 23rd-minute substitute for Beautyman who suffered a broken nose.

His spectacular goal was his first for Sutton since returning to the club in November after a year with Eastleigh and led to deserving praise from his manager.

"It was a great goal from Stearny," Doswell told SUFCtv.

"It reminded me very much of his last time here. That's what he brings to you. He's got that quality, especially on the left-hand side coming across.

"He's got his sharpness back now. He's had that loan spell [at Bath City] and he's got over that injury and he's desperate to get his teeth into it and that will do him the world of good."

Beautyman's 13th-minute strike was also his first for the U's since returning to Gander Green Lane from Stevenage back in January.

Sutton added a second right on half-time when Chester midfielder Tom Crawford’s attempted clearance hit Harrison in the chest and rebounded into the net. 

The Sutton striker's knack for being in the right place at the right time proved that it doesn't matter how they go in, a goal is a goal.

And, although the overall performance may have lacked finesse, Doswell was keen to point out, a win is a win. 

"We'll take the win," he said. "We weren't at our best but it doesn't matter if you're at your best or not any more, with seven games to go.

"We problably haven't been at out best the past three or four weeks but it doesn't matter now, performances are somewhat irrelevant, it's all about the result, whether you get them by hook or by crook."

Macclesfield Town scored a last minute winner to beat Gateshead 1-0 on Tuesday and dislodge Sutton off the summit going into a busy Easter weekend of National League fixtures.

The U's visit Maidenhead United this Friday (March 30, 3pm) before hosting FA Trophy finallists Bromley on Bank Holiday Monday (April 2, 3pm) in a match being screened live on BT Sport.