Sutton took home 1 point and several bruises from this uncompromising clash. United started under heavy pressure and it was a goal ,against the run of play, by Sammy Winston that saw them take the lead. A through ball to Winston allowed him to run past the defender and a well struck lob shot put the visitors one up. Sutton's chances in the first half were few and far between but the defending , against a very fast Southport front line , was excellent. Despite Southport having the majority of possession ,they were limited to very few goal chances.
In the second half the intimidation , which to soft southern eyes appeared almost violent but was actually just hard and gritty, subsided and the game became more open. Southport's Ian Arnold and Lee Elam were causing Sutton some concern and it was Elam who established parity . A fine through ball gave Ellam the chance to rifle the ball in low past Howells who had no chance (73 mins). Sutton also had their chances in this half. Watson narrowly flicking over a header and Brooker being denied by a fine stop from the keeper. With 20 minutes to go Jimmy Dack , who had probably his best game this season , was replaced by Nko Ekoku. Shortly after Francis Vines and youth team debutante Scott Forrester replaced Watson and Winston. In the short time he had , Forrester made a good impression and was unlucky not to score in the closing stages of the game.
In all the point was a fair result, Southport will claim the lion's share of possession but Sutton's defence were more than up to it.
HOWELLS, BROOKER SKELLY BERRY RILEY LAKER HARFORD DACK HARLOW WINSTON WATSON Subs FORRESTER EKOKU VINES HUTCHINSON
ATT: 1075