EXPERIENCED forward Charlie Austin admitted he has joined AFC Totton to help the club get promoted but insisted "it's a tough league."

The Stags missed out on promotion to the National League South via the play-offs last season when they lost on penalties to Salisbury at Snows Stadium.

The Southern League Premier South only offers two promotion spots, one for the league winners and another for the play-off champions.

With the signing of ex-Saints forward Austin, who scored 12 goals in League Two last season, many consider Totton favourites for promotion. 

Charlie Austin scored 12 times at Swindon Town last seasonCharlie Austin scored 12 times at Swindon Town last season (Image: PA)

Former Premier League forward Austin is hoping his experience and goalscoring record can add the extra quality required to earn a spot in the sixth tier.

Asked by the Daily Echo if he has come to Totton to get the club promoted, Austin said: “Yeah, I would say so. 

“I want to be a part of a football team that is trying to get promoted. It’s tough. Only one team gets promoted and one goes up through the play-offs. It’s a tough league.

“I went to watch a few games at Hungerford, where I’m from, and I could see that it's a tough league. Sometimes you just need that little bit of quality or know-how to get over the line.

“The club fell at the final hurdle last year and missed out on promotion through the cruellest of ways. I’m here to get promotion with Totton.

"It doesn’t matter where you play in the pyramid, you’ll always have tough games where someone tries to leave a bit on you.

“That is part and parcel of football. When I used to play non-league football you could get away with anything. 

“It’s a lot different now. I played my first non-league game in 2005, yes the game has moved on, but the nuts and bolts don’t change."

He continued: “It’s a challenge I’m really looking forward to. Nobody is going to get me off that line. I’m not worried about what the outside noise sounds like.

“No matter what level you play at, there are the same old cliches. I feel like everybody at the football club wants to go that direction. 

"You’ve only got to look at the so-called small bits like the heart rate monitors and the watches provided by Garmin.

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“The little things like that go a long way. When you speak to people in non-league, it doesn’t really happen. 

"It’s hard enough trying to get some of those bits the higher you go up the divisions as well.

“This is a great project and one that I’m excited to be a part of. Hopefully, I can bring a bit of know-how, experience and plenty of goals to help bring some success to the town.

“Everyone at Totton wanted to make the deal happen and they seem pleased. That’s happened, now it’s over to me to deliver the rest.”