No sooner have Sutton United disposed of one potential banana skin, they will have to do it again to progress in this season’s FA Cup.

Glenn Southam bagged two penalties, and Michael Spillane also scored, as United saw off the challenge of Essex Senior League high fliers FC Romania 3-2 on Saturday to put themselves in the hat for the third qualifying round.

Now Paul Doswell’s men have been drawn at home to Burgess Hill Town, currently top of Ryman Division One South, on October 11.

Reaching the FA Cup first round proper, as United did last season, is one of a three-pronged target for Doswell.

He said: “Firstly it’s a great draw because we’re at home, secondly it’s against a team that are unbeaten in their league.

“That breeds confidence, if you’re winning every week that can make a huge difference.

“It’ll be tough as a lot of their lads have played for Eastbourne Borough and Lewes at a higher level and dropped down over time, so on their day they will have played at our level.”

He added: “But we are always looking to progress – our mini target is top five in the league, getting to the first round proper of the FA Cup and the last 16 of the FA trophy, we hope that we can hit all of those.

“If we can make the first round proper, that’s £25,000 and the financial implications for the club are massive, it can help the club to pay bills.”

Against FC Romania in Hertfordshire, United stormed into a 3-0 lead at half-time before the hosts battled back to 3-2 to make for a nervy final.

Doswell said: “I don’t think we were ever in any real serious trouble, but full credit to FC Romania.

“They played very comfortably from the back, and instead of launching it forward as most teams at this level do, they popped it around and they were very good at doing it too.

“It was good for the neutral, but it doesn’t matter whether you win 7-0 or 3-2, it’s as long as you get through and we’ve got through. Job done.”

United are back in Vanarama Conference South action this weekend when they entertain Bath City at the Lane.

Doswell is sweating on the fitness of Dale Binns (dead leg) and Southam (calf), while Louis John is out for six weeks with a knee injury.

However, the boss does welcome back Callum Hart and Matt Lockwood.

Surrey Comet:

Hit it! Michael Spillane scored his second United goal in the win at FC Romania     Picture: Paul Loughlin