It seems difficult to believe , in the cold light of day, that there was a a time during this match , that Sutton harboured hopes of getting at least a point out of this game. Sutton had been 2-0 down at half time and looked unlikely to score. Home and away fans were predicting a comfortable 4-0 score line. But Sutton had different ideas and a spirited revival saw them come back to 2-2. Then in the 70th minute all that changed. Morecambe got their third and Sutton had to go for broke. And brake they did.
It had started quite well for Sutton, the first 15 minutes saw them looking the brighter of the two teams, but then Morecambe stepped up a gear. Morecambe's Leon Smith , shimmied his way to the edge of the area only to see his shot well saved by Howells. Smith started to orchestrate the home sides midfield, spraying balls up to the front runners, and was quite rightly voted man of the match at the end of the game. Four minutes later Takano took a shot which resulted in a spectacular save from Howells. After 29 minutes Lyons shot was again well saved. From the resulting corner Eastwood cracked the ball home giving Howells no chance. Sutton had another let off in the 37th minute. This time the shot going narrowly wide. Sutton's defense were being increasingly caught by through balls and Eastwood made it 2-0 after a flick on following a cross by Lyons. Eastwood heading home into the unguarded net.
Half time saw a new spirit in Sutton. they took the game to Morecambe and were rewarded in the 48th minute. Sears beat his man on the wing and put in a good cross which Watson was able to stab in off the post to make it 2-1. Sutton continued to press forward and their reward came in the 63rd. A well worked short corner between Dack and Harlow , saw Dack cross for Riley to head home. .Now thoughts of gaining a point seemed plausible and when Winston's shot was well pushed over the bar by Andy Banks, even a win. But as John Cleese said in Clockwise, "I don't mind the despair, its the hope I can't handle". . Sutton's hope ran out on 70 minutes. Justin Jackson finally showed why he is the leading scorer. Shooting past Howells. Nko Ekoku had already replaced Sears. It was time for the Sutton gamble. Rowland and Baker replaced Winston and Skelly. With Skelly gone United's shaky defence crumpled and for the final twenty minutes it was Garath Howells versus Morecambe FC. Howells put on a fine show and demonstrated what a good keeper he is, but he was powerless to stop the onslaught. Drummonds shot well in the 80th minute to make it 4-2 , then Smith got one for his efforts in the 83rd. finally Lyons made it 6-2 in the 88th. Other results did not go well for Sutton with both Welling and Forest Green winning. Sutton are now 17th in the table. Morecambe , on this display , must fancy their chances for the title.