Kingstonian goalkeeper Rob Tolfrey has lavished praise on the latest holder of the number one shirt at his former club Whyteleafe.

Twenty-four-year-old David Wilkinson joined Leafe from Merstham in December and has been proved pivotal in the team’s final push for promotion from the Kent League Premier Division.

Although his tenure between the posts has been disrupted by work commitments, Wilkinson has conceded just four goals in eight games since the beginning of January.

And Tolfrey, who knows Wilkinson having met him through mutual friend and Leafe assistant coach Rob Smith, is under no illusions as to why Wilkinson has been so effective.

“David is a quality signing. He has consistency in everything he does, and he has an assured nature about him that flows through the team,” he said.

“You can tell he has that bit of quality about him because the defenders trust him.

“They’re happy to roll the ball back to David because they know it will be used properly or cleared.”

Tolfrey added: “He has earned that trust through his consistent performances. If you don’t have that trust in your goalkeeper, if you don’t want to hear what he has to say during a game, then you are in trouble.”

Whyteleafe are third in the Premier Division, and have a mountain to climb to win promotion lying eight points off the summit, but having played three games more.

Tolfrey said: "You never know in football what might happen, so I am not writing them off yet.

"I had some great times at Whyteleafe and always look out for their score - it's pleasing that they are doing so well."

Whyteleafe host Deal Town on Saturday at Church Road (kick off 3pm), while Kingstonian travel to Lewes in the Ryman Premier Division.