Sutton United winger Matt Hann reckons Saturday’s nailbiting draw with Hastings United is a sign they are better prepared for a successful play-off campaign.

The former Eastleigh star hit what he that was an 84th minute winner - his first league strike of the season - in the Ryman League Premier Division clash of the weekend only to see the visitors level matters at 2-2 with five minutes on the clock.

It followed last week’s impressive 2-0 triumph at runaway league leaders Dartford and put boss Paul Doswell’s men well on course for a top five finish.

Hann was in the team that lost 3-0 to Staines Town in last season’s play-off semi-finals and is one of the manager’s most successful signings during his tenure at Gander Green Lane with over 80 appearances under his belt.

And he believes the side’s current run of one defeat in ten is an indication they stand a good chance of landing promotion.

“Our biggest problem this season has been consistency. While you never say you have completely solved it, only one defeat in ten shows we are heading in the right direction,” he said.

“This season we have performed well against the better sides. We haven’t been outclassed by anyone, whereas you couldn’t say that about us last year.

“No-one likes being sat on the bench, but we have got options all over the park and with the amount of games we a have still got to play it is only a good thing.

“We are definitely in a better position than we were last season to make a go of it. We don’t want to leave getting into the play-offs down to the last minute.”

Sutton battled back from a goal down at half-time to lead 2-1 - through goals from Sonny Cobbs and Hann in the space of two minutes - before a Hastings equaliser scuppered their hopes of three points.

“I thought my goal would win it, so it was disappointing to get a draw considering we had battled so hard to come back from 1-0 down,” added Hann.

“The good thing is Hastings haven’t pulled further away from us.”

Sutton travel to play-off chasing Tooting & Mitcham on Saturday knowing a win will put some breathing space between them and their rivals.

“They beat us earlier in the season and I’m one of a couple of players who still remember the 4-2 drubbing we had there last season. I think we owe them a few,” said Hann.

“In terms of it being a local derby and the importance it has for the league, it is a massive game.”

Sutton’s next three games: Feb 20 Tooting & Mitcham (a), Feb 23 Cray Wanderers (a), 27 Ashford Town (Mddx) (a).