Sutton began this years league campaign in disappointing fashion going down to an own goal midway through the first half of an encounter that failed to live up to most people’s expectations.

In front of a crowd of 824 Sutton welcomed back Andy Riley after his season with Crawley and also gave league debut’s to Gareth Howells in goal, Richard Skelly at the back and Nko Ekoku up front and it was Ekoku who set up the first chance after five minutes but Junior Haynes was unable to keep his shot down.

Haynes also had the next opportunity when a good through ball inside the full back put him in but his chip over the advancing keeper was diverted behind Nassim Akrour and his acrobatic overhead kick went just wide. Akrour was then guilty of a bad miss when he met a Richard Skelly cross eight yards out but his free header went past the post.

Slough had been restricted to one long-range effort from Neville Roach but after twenty-five minutes, against the run of play, they took the lead. There looked to be little danger from a throw in on the right midway inside Sutton’s half but slack marking allowed a free cross that was headed into the six yard box and Andy Riley while trying to clear at full stretch only managed to push the ball past the stranded Gareth Howells.

Sutton continued to have most of the possession but in truth created very little apart from when Simon Line seemed to hold Nassim Akrour back in the box but the referee waived play on.

Into the second half and Paul Wilkerson in the Slough goal made a stunning double save from Ugbah and Ekoku early on before the atmosphere began to boil as first Gwynne Berry and then Simon Line went into referee Keith Reynolds book. There was then another incident in which Michael Thorp appeared to throw a punch at Nassim Akrour and several other players were involved in a jostling match but referee Reynolds took no action.

Nassim Akrour was then guilty of the miss of the game after a brilliant move involving John Ugbah and Andy Salako who’s cross was met by Akrour six yards out but with the goal at his mercy he put his header over the bar.

With fifteen minutes to go Sutton made a tactical change bringing on Mark Watson for Richard Skelly and he could have scored almost immediately as another Salako cross caused problems in the Slough defence but his shot was charged down by Wilkerson who was beginning to look unbeatable on the day.

So Sutton suffered there first opening day defeat for several seasons and will be looking for a quick change in fortunes on Monday evening when they visit St Alban’s City, kick off 7.30pm.

The sides were: -

Gareth Howells, Danny Brooker, Andy Riley, Gwynne Berry, Richard Skelly, John Ugbah, Steve Watson, Andy Salako, Nassim Akrour, Nko Ekoku (Mark Watson 75mins.) and Junior Haynes.

Azeez Akinbolu and Barry Laker were the unused subs.

Paul Wilkerson, Justin Channing, Kenny Hughes, (Mark Holsman 70mins) Richard Pierson, Simon Line, Michael Thorp, Edwin Asselman, Graham Kemp, Andrew Deaner, Neville Roach and Mark Fiore.

Gary Mcvie and Matthew Bicknell were the unused subs.