Kingstonian boss Alan Dowson says Saturday’s clash with Sutton United will test if his players can handle the pressure of the Ryman League Premier Division play-offs.

United visit Kingsmeadow Stadium at the weekend on the back of a 14-match unbeaten league run, while Saturday’s 4-3 victory over Aveley sees Dowson’s men enjoying a five match unbeaten run themselves.

The two teams occupy second and third in the table and seem destined to meet at some stage in the play-offs with some predicting this week’s clash as a dress rehearsal for the final.

But Dowson, who has a full strength squad to choose from, reckons it is as much a chance to see how his players react to the pressure of a big game.

“Everyone is bursting to play in this game. It is a big one and will be a fantastic occasion at the club, but only if we win,” he said.

“I’ll be looking at my lads to see who has what it takes to handle the big occasion. Some players freeze and some do silly things like get bookings and give away fouls.

“If I see any of that they will not be playing in the play-offs. It is up to them to prove they are up to it at the weekend.

“Us against Sutton is the final everyone wants, but things like that don’t happen in football.”

Dowson reckons his men need three more points to secure a top five finish and thinks finishing in the top three would have been unheard of earlier in the campaign.

“It will be one of the biggest miracles in the game if we finish second considering the start we had,” he added.

“We need three more points to get there and whoever we face we will give it a go.”

Sutton are struggling with injuries ahead of the weekend, but Dowson - who last month cheekily compared United to Premier League Stoke City because of long throw specialist Billy Hawes - still believes they will be a major threat.

He said: “Paul likes to chop and change his team around anyway to keep things fresh. They have got a strong squad, which means they are able to do that.”

Midfielder Tommy Williams has joined Ryman League Premier Division strugglers Carshalton Athletic on loan until the end of the season.

Kingstonian’s next three games: Apr 3 Sutton United (h), 5 Bognor Regis Town (a), 10 Dartford (h).