Sutton United boss Paul Doswell has said it is promotion or bust for him this season after watching his side dumped out of the FA Cup at the weekend.

United crashed 2-1 to Wessex League Premier Division strugglers Alton Town in one of the shock results of the first qualifying round on Saturday.

And Doswell, who has taken Sutton to the first round proper in each of the last two seasons, has revealed will quit the club if his men are not playing in the Blue Square South next year.

“My priority now is to try to get the club promoted. I don’t think I will be with Sutton next year if I don’t get them up,” said the manager.

“Three years at it is a good enough effort from me and from the club.

“If going out of the FA Cup means getting promoted then so be it, but that doesn’t stop me being disappointed with the performance.

“From a personal pride point of view I’m looking to manage at a higher level and I really want to do that with Sutton.

”I’m putting that pressure on myself and if I don’t achieve it then in my mind that is a failure and I will walk away.”

Bradley Woods-Garness’ fourth goal in as many games was the only high point from the weekend that saw skipper Jason Goodliffe (dislocated jaw) and the goalscorer striker (groin) added to Doswell’s injury concerns.

Midfielders Jerson Dos Santos and Tom Dunford have been told they can find other clubs as the Gander Green Lane chief looks to recruit an experienced utility man.

And Doswell, who pointed out the departures were not for financial reasons, admitted the defeat came as a rude awakening.

“The players behind our first choice 12 or 13 are not good enough. They didn’t step up at the weekend and that was disappointing,” he added.

“We’ve got five or six first teamers missing I’m looking at bringing in someone who can cover three or four positions for us, while we’ve got these injury problems.”

Sutton have only one game between now and October 2, and Doswell admits he is thankful of the break.

“The fact we are out of the cup means we don’t have to juggle that with our league commitments,” he said.

“It has come at the right time and hopefully we can get a few bodies back,”

Sutton United’s next three fixtures: Sept 21 Harrow Borough (h), Oct 2 Margate (h), Oct 4 Kingstonian (a).