Sutton United (1) 2 S. Watson, 31mins. Akrour 89mins

Chesham (0) 0

Attendance 688

Sutton welcomed Nko Ekoku back into the starting line up and that was the only change from the starting line that lost at Dulwich on Friday night, John Ugbah being left out.

The game started very quietly with few good chances falling to either side. Dean Chandler was booked for a bad foul on Akrour after twenty-five minutes and Sutton finally took the lead after some exerted pressure six minutes later. Nko Ekoku flicked a corner goalward at the near post only to see keeper Ben Miles somehow keep it out with a mixture of arms and his midriff but from the resulting corner Steve Watson bundled the ball in at the near post past a bemused defence.

This started a good period for Sutton where they took charge of the game but they had no further goals to show at half time. Ex United favourite Paul Barrowcliff was booked for a foul on Steve Watson just before the break.

The second half began as the first had ended with Sutton on top but unable to distance themselves from the visitors. Nko Ekoku was giving the visiting number three a torrid time as usual and it was from one of his runs that Mark Watson missed a glorious chance to seal the game with 15 minutes to go. Ekoku beating three defenders and squaring the ball to Watson who rounded the keeper but then put the ball wide of a gaping net. That was almost his last action as Barry Blackman replaced him soon after.

But finally as the game moved into injury time Sutton at last made it safe. Barry Blackman beat a defender and laid it off to David Howells who’s pinpoint pass beat the defence and Nassim Akrour did the rest beating the goalkeeper and putting the ball in an empty net.

Andy Salako and Barry Blackman both missed further chances in injury time to make the scoreline look more realistic but all the Sutton fans went home happy with three more points in the bag.

Aylesbury kept up the pressure at the top by winning at home to Bromley but Aldershot lost further ground losing 2-0 at home to Hendon. At the bottom Carshalton did themselves no favours going down 8-2 at Harrow Borough.

The Sutton line up was:

Gareth Howells, Danny Brooker, Andy Riley, Gwynne Berry, Richard Skelly, Steve Watson, David Harlow, Andy Salako, Nassim Akrour, Mark Watson (Blackman) and Nko Ekoku.

Francis Vines, Barry Laker were the unused Subs.

The Chesham line up was:

Ben Miles, Mickey Engwell, Rod Mckery, Dean Chandler, Dave Thompson, Matt Flitter, Paul Barrowcliff, Trevor Argrave, Sammy Winston, Ansil Bushay and Paul Kelly (Totton).

Lee Randall and Luke Blockett were the unused subs.

Sutton now travel to the Midlands to take on Ford Sports in the FA Cup on Saturday in the 3^rd qualifying Round.