If Sutton United are to make the Blue Square South play-off final they will have to do it with the help of the cuddliest keeper in Britain.

Kevin Scriven’s straight red card in Saturday’s 3-1 defeat at Salisbury City means he will miss the semi-final second leg on May 7.

His place will be taken by 6ft 2in 20st understudy Wayne Shaw after United decided not to appeal the decision that saw Scriven suspended for one match.

Shaw, formerly a striker at Premier League-bound Reading, has starred for boss Paul Doswell’s men in the Surrey Senior Cup this term.

And the Gander Green Lane chief, who had the veteran shotstopper as his No 1 at Eastleigh, would not trust anyone else to do the job.

“He gets a lot of stick for his size, but the truth is he is an excellent goalkeeper,” he said.

“He used to be a striker so has great footwork and is good striker of the ball. He is actually pretty fit and could probably run a marathon.

“I’m not stupid. If I didn’t trust him to do a job, I would not pick him.”

Sutton secured a play-off spot on Saturday, despite losing at the weekend, but need to beat Farnborough tomorrow to guarantee fourth spot.