Sutton United boss Ernie Howe is hoping the arrival of striker Steffan Ball will cure his rock-bottom side's goal scoring woes.

Ball, whose 14 league goals have fired Ramsgate to the Ryman Premier Division play-off places, was the subject of a failed bid by United earlier in the season.

But Sutton recently returned with an improved offer, which has forced the hand of the Kent side.

And Howe (right), whose side has the lowest goal total in the Blue Square South, is delighted to finally get his man.

He said: "There is no doubt that our main problem has been a lack of goals.

"We have been playing well in some games but have not been taking our chances.

"Every game has been the same old story and we hope Steffan will sort that out."

Sutton crashed to a disappointing 1-0 defeat at Bromley on Saturday which saw them remain six points adrift at the foot of the table.

But a controversial talking point saw Sutton denied a penalty after Craig Dundas appeared to be felled by Bromley's keeper.

And Howe, despite admitting his side came off second best, was seething over the apparent injustice.

He said: "I think it was a definite penalty.

"If the referee followed the letter of the law, the keeper should have gone.

"But he didn't give either and that was a ridiculous decision.

"To be honest, I am fed up at the moment with all the decisions going against us.

"Having said that, there is no guarantee we would have got anything but it would definitely have got us back in the game."

Sutton face mid-table Thurrock at home on Saturday and Howe admits it is crunch time for his struggling side.

He added: "I do not want to think about relegation but, at the same time, you have to be realistic.

"We need some wins and we need a bit of luck.

"At this moment in time staying up is definitely still doable.

"But we need to get points on the board and we need to do it quickly."