Boss Paul Doswell is confident his Sutton United side will win the war, despite losing the battle at Kingsmeadow on Monday.

The Ryman Premier Division manager of the month for September watched his men crash 1-0 at bogey side Kingstonian to surrender their unbeaten start to the campaign.

United, who have not beaten Ks in their last four encounters, remain top of the table having won their previous seven games since opening the season with a draw at Concord Rangers.

And Doswell - who was disappointed with the result, but delighted with the performance after beating Margate 2-1 on Saturday - sees no reason why his side can’t go on and lift the league title.

“If you had said to me we’d have 22 points after ten games at the start of the season, I’d have snapped your hand off, “ he said.

“If you go at two points a game for the season and end up with around 90 points you’d have to consider yourself very unlucky not to win the league.

“We created ten chances and couldn’t get the ball in the net, but that is football. If we keep playing like that we will be fine.

“My captain said in the dressing room after that defeats like that is why we have to win the league. That could have been in the play-offs.

“That thought sent a shiver down my spine.”

Former Leicester City striker Elvis Hammond opened his account with a debut goal in Saturday’s win, which eventually came care of Tom Davis’ winner.

“Elvis is with us until January. He is a friend of Tom Davis’ and came here because he wants to get fit,” he added.

“He is heading off to America and we are delighted to have him. He certainly got off on the right foot.”

With Jason Goodliffe (ankle) and Craig Dundas (ankle) close to making starting returns for United, Doswell’s squad is approaching full strength for Saturday’s long trip to promotion rivals Lowestoft Town.

And the Gander Green Lane chief is expecting a tough examination.

“We’ve had them watched and we think they are the best team in the league in terms of the football they play,” he said.

“A win would mean six points from games against Margate, Kingstonian and Lowestoft, which I will take.

“We’ll be flying if we can do it.”

Sutton’s next three games: Oct 9 Lowestoft Town (a) 11 Walton Casuals (LCup, h), 16 Tooting & Mitcham (FAT, h).