Sutton United boss Paul Doswell has hailed comeback kid Bradley Woods-Garness as the ultimate team player after bagging his second goal in three games on Tuesday night.

The former England youth international has been plagued by niggling injuries since switching to Gander Green Lane in the summer and has even spent a spell on loan at Ryman League Premier Division rivals Hendon.

He has made just 12 appearances all season, but scored on his return to the starting line-up in a 2-1 win at Boreham Wood last week before repeating the trick in Tuesday's triumph by the same score at Horsham.

And Doswell admits his return to couldn’t have happened to a nicer a guy.

“I’ve always had a lot of time for Bradley. He has been a victim of circumstance for us this season because other players have done well,” he said.

“He struggled with injury at the start of the season and came back to find Stefan Payne banging in the goals, and the same happened a bit later when Charlie Taylor was on fire.

“I’ve kept a close eye on what he has been doing. He has a great team ethic, even when he is out of the team.

“He’s the first out on the pitch to warm up and is very supportive. He is a really good lad and I’m genuinely pleased for him that he has found form at the right time for us.”

Doswell missed Tuesday’s 2-1 win to be at his wife’s side for the birth of twin daughters - Raya and Amelia - and had a third reason to celebrate as Sutton extended their unbeaten league run to nine matches.

Sam Gargan netted what proved to be an early winner after Woods-Garness had opened the scoring for United as they closed the gap on second place Kingstonian to two points.

Gargan now has 12 league strikes to his name from 25 starts and while Sutton haven’t exactly been prolific in front of goal, it is his side’s defensive record that has given Doswell most pleasure this season.

“Sam’s been a bit overlooked this season. It is not just the goals he has scored, but he is exceptional when we play him up front on his own,” he added.

“I think we’ve got goals in us throughout the side. The whole team is confident of that.

“The most pleasing thing for me is that we have the second best defensive record in the league. The back four have been excellent recently. It is a credit to them.”

Sutton’s next three games: Mar 13 Waltham Abbey (a), 16 Margate (a), 20 Bognor Regis Town (h).