Sutton United have reacted swiftly to their FA Cup exit at Slough Town by signing strikers Darren McQueen from rivals Ebbsfleet.

The 23-year-old arrives at Gander Green Lane for an undisclosed fee after three seasons with the Kent club in which he scored 25 goals in 72 appearances and earned caps for the England C team.

Sutton manager Paul Doswell has also added striker Brandon Thomas-Asante from MK Dons on a two-month loan.

He said: "Darren  is someone I have always admired and is the perfect age to come into our squad and improve.

"He’s a good finisher and has fantastic pace, but now needs regular games to flourish.

"Paul Tisdale is a very good friend of mine back from his Southampton days, and he has highly recommended Brandon to me. 

"He’s another quick second striker and trained with the team yesterday and made a great impression.

"We needed some freshness in the final third and both players will be available for tomorrow which is a lift for all of us."

Sutton were left counting the cost of a heartbreaking penalty shootout defeat at Slough on Tuesday with the Berkshire side earning a lucrative home tie against League One Gillingham in the second round.

Doswell estimated the defeat cost the U’s as much as £60,000 but he hasn’t wasted any time in bolstering his strikeforce which has come under fire from some supporters frustrated at the team’s inability to kill opponents off.

“We’re near the end of November and this team has lost just three games all season,” said Doswell.

“The moans and groans have been aimed at some of the younger players which is disappointing.

“We’re not Salford. We’re not in a position to go and spend £4,000 a week on a striker or £5,000 a week on a second striker. We’d probably take a nought of both of those figures.

“So, go and criticise a lad who is on £350 a week, if you want. Go and criticise a lad who has been injured for a year.

“Do you think it really helps the team? No.

"Do I take any notice of it? No.

“We will do our best to put a team out that represents the club well within the budget that we’ve got and we’ll do our very best in every game.”

The U’s look to get back on track this Saturday when they host lowly Maidenhead United.

The Magpies come to Gander Green Lane on the back of six straight league defeats, a run which has seen them score just one goal while conceding 23.

“No game in this league is easy," said the Sutton boss.

"We don’t regard Maidenhead and Braintree (Tuesday’s opponents) any easier than we do Fylde, who we’ve got on the following Saturday.

“The aim is still to get in those top seven places. If we don’t succeed then it won’t be through a lack of trying on all of our parts, including the players.”