When Sutton United’s Dale Binns saw his shot hit the back of the Chelmsford City net on Saturday, he felt like he had hit the jackpot.

Not only did it cap a fine display from the 32-year-old winger, which included an assist for United’s opening goal, it also got a monkey off his back as he finally opened his goal account.

There was further good news for the summer signing from Eastleigh as he – along with Craig Dundas, Jamie Taylor, Jamie Slabber, Mitchell Nelson, Charlie Clough, Lee Sawyer and Damian Scannell – signed a contract extension to the end of next season.

But for the here and now, Binns is promising the United fans more goals having finally broken the seal.

“That goal has been so long in coming, usually by now I would have at least four or five,” he said.

“It has been playing on my mind, a few times I’ve been unlucky. But I thought just keep going, keep getting in the area and eventually it will come.

“When the ball came to me, there were so many bodies ahead of me I was expecting it to be cleared or one of our boys to convert it, so when I saw it went all the way through it was like hitting the jackpot. I started running and I don’t know what I did.”

He added: “It was great emotions, and to get the win after losing at Staines so long ago, it was massive.”

While Binns has put pen to paper on a new deal, there have been two further departures from Gander Green Lane.

James Folkes has become the fifth United man to join Terry Brown’s revolution at Margate, and midfielder Ali Fuseini has been allowed to rejoin Skrill South leaders Bromley.

Richmond and Twickenham Times:

Signed on: Craig Dundas will be with Sutton United until the end of next season    Picture: Paul Loughlin

Binns said: “Players coming and going is part and parcel of football. It was a shame to see them go, some of them are big characters in the changing room.

“But that happens in football, things change very quickly, especially at our level.

“But you have to do what’s best for you and right for the club.”

He added: “There is a still a core of players here in Simon Downer, Craig Dundas, Tom Lovelock and me – there is still a backbone from the start of the season.

“For my part, I feel honoured that the club are offering me something for next season, so early in this season, it’s great.

“That kind of loyalty and trust is not found very often at this level.”

The win at Chelmsford, which began with Slabber’s diving header for his 10th goal of the season, keeps United in the Skrill South play-offs – although they remain 17 points behind leaders Bromley.

Richmond and Twickenham Times:

Bang: Jamie Slabber opens the scoring at Chelmsford City by
converting Dale Binns’ cross     Picture: Paul Loughlin