Sutton United boss Paul Doswell has his tactics for a late assault on Ebbsfleet’s rein at the top of the National League South worked out to a tee.

Following last weekend’s point at home to Bath City, and Tuesday night’s win at Basingstoke, United find themselves in second place, 12 points adrift of the north Kent outfit.

However, United have two games in hand on the leaders, and, crucially, the sides play each other at the Lane when there are only three games of the season left to play.

And Doswell also has an eye on the hazards that have befallen previous runaway leaders.

“A couple of seasons ago, Bromley were top for a long time and then fell away, while ourselves and Eastleigh caught them up,” he said.

“Ebbsfleet are in our sights. If we can win our games in hand, go into the last seven or eight games of the season with Ebbsfleet only six points ahead and then beat them at our place, then you never know.

“But Ebbsfleet are in a strong position, and I’d rather be in their position that ours.

"They have outbid Barnet to sign Aaron McLean, he’s played in the Premier League, and he’s already scoring goals for them.”

United’s 1-1 draw with Bath City on Saturday came virtue of a Ross Stearn goal, and the winger was on target again on Tuesday in a 2-1 win at Basingstoke, which also saw Dan Fitchett hit his 14th league goal of the season.

After a run of three games without a win and exit from the FA Trophy, Doswell was delighted with the response – the only blot on the copy book was a red card for Dan Wishart.

“It was a really good win and it could have been more than just two. We were always comfortable, and it is credit the boys that we have now gone 10 league games away from home unbeaten,” he said.

“I thought the ref was ok, but Dan’s sending off was a strange one – he was booked for a soft challenge, and then booked for diving in the area when the whole crowd thought it was a stone-wall penalty.”

United go to Hemel Hempstead this weekend without Jamie Collins, Sean Cooper, Craig McAllister and Louis John.

However, Dan Spence could feature, while Nick Bailey is back to full fitness.