The was the final part of the game of 3 halves. Sutton had originally travelled to Forest Green's Lawn ground in August but a floodlight failure saw the game postponed. Sutton had been leading 2-1 when darkness descended, so it was fated that Sutton should go back a claim that score line.
A very good first half performance earned Sutton the points, with another good performance from new striker Aiden Newhouse. Gwynne Berry was missing following his ankle ligament injury sustained against Kettering last Saturday, so Andy Riley stepped in. For most of the first half Sutton appeared to be playing a flat back four , leaving Ekoku to make some telling runs down the wing. Newhouse and Watson were catching the eye up front. Newhouse's subtle knock ons allowing Watson to use his strength on the ball. It was this combination that broke the deadlock. Newhouse putting Watson through and Watson finishing with a low drive to the keepers right. Sutton weren't having it their own way though and Forest Green's forwards were always lively with the ball. Tony Daley proving a handful for the back four. It was from a spirited forward run that Rovers earned their equaliser. Howells diving at the forwards feet and bringing him down. From where I stood (some distance away) it seemed a fair award, although the referee can't have felt that the challenge was too bad because He did not book Howells. The penalty was duly dispatched by Jason Drysdale . Sutton were now being reigned in by Rovers and it took a while to get back their rhythm. When it did come back, it came back in style. Ekoku made an excellent run down the wing and whipped in a low cross round the back of the defence. Newhouse met the cross with a perfect half volley and Sutton were 2-1 up. History repeated itself minutes later when a fast Rovers forward run saw Riley struggling with the interception. Unfortunately the resulting foul was inside the box and Howells had to face his second penalty of the night. Whereas the first penalty was perfect , the second was more in the Garath Southgate mould. The ball striking Howells, who stood his ground well, and looping up in the air. It fell back to Drysdale at head height who , much to every U's supporter's relief, managed to head it over the bar. Sutton had a couple more close escapes in the first half. Howells was spotted off his line and a splendid long range effort just clipped the bar.
The second half had Sutton adopting a more cautious attitude. Harford dropped back and for the first 20 minutes or so , Rovers had the initiative. Whilst the defence was kept busy Howells was not really called upon , the home sides' shooting letting them down. Sutton pressed forward again and a succession of corners resulted. The best of these when Harford headed just over . With 15 minutes to go United decided to protect their lead. Hutchinson came on for Watson to shore up the midfield. The last drama of the game happened in the final minutes. referee went over for a long talk with his linesman , following this Danny Brooker and Rovers' ---------- were sent off., presumably for fighting, although very few people in the ground appeared to see the actual offence. If it was for fighting then Brooker will face a 3 match ban. This was Sutton's sixth sending off this season , made even more remarkable by the fact of it being Danny Brooker would be the least likely person to get the red card.