Dulwich Hamlet boss Wayne Burnett was a relieved man after watching his side secure a clean-sheet having conceded nine goals in a week.

The Champion Hill side were dumped out of the FA Trophy last Tuesday, losing 7-6 at home to rivals Tooting & Mitcham in a replay after the original tie finished 2-2.

Dulwich bounced back with a Chris Dickson-inspired 5-0 victory at home to Whyteleafe on Saturday, putting them fourth in the Ryman League Division One South table.

Hamlet have scored 22 goals in their past five games - despite being without the services of last season's top scorer Jean-Serge Musungu, who is expected to be out for another six weeks with knee cartilage trouble.

But Burnett believes his side are only a central defensive partnership away from being a top two side.

"Our defence is an area of concern at the moment. Last season we conceded among the fewest in the league," he said after signing Dulwich old boy Justyn Roberts.

"We haven't really had a centre-back partnership all season and, once we have addressed that issue, we should on the way up.

"Had we played to our potential earlier in the season and not conceded a few silly goals we would be in second by now and not fourth.

"But I think our position is a fair reflection of where we are at the moment and hopefully that can continue to see us climb further up the table."

Burnett thrust in Roberts - recently released by Nottingham Forest - for Saturday's match and his arrival paid immediate dividends.

Goals from Luke Cornwall, Nicolas Plumain, Sol Pinnock and a second-half brace from Dickson gave Dulwich the win.

However, Roberts' stint at Hamlet could be short-lived if he manages to land a deal with Conference side Stevenage Borough this week.

"Justyn's situation is out of our hands, so we will keep doing what we have been and see where we go from there," said Burnett.

"We have played the top three teams and haven't been out-performed by any of them," he added.

Hamlet have a 10-day break from league action before facing Maidstone United on October 28.