ST ALBANS CITY 2 SUTTON UTD 0

Sutton's poor run of results continued at Clarence Park on Tuesday when a goal either side of half time condemned them to an 8th Ryman League game without a win. They had a hand in their own downfall, with both goals the result of some unimpressive marking, and the ball surrendered too cheaply too often in midfield, but particularly in the latter stages of the game they were the side creating all the chances, to such an extent that home goalkeeper Richard Wilmot earned the Man of the Match award from the night's sponsors. In addition, they will point to a serious error of judgment by referee Ray Lee that denied them the chance of an equaliser just moments before a second goal left them with too much to do. After a quiet opening 20 minutes it was Sutton who began to create openings, with Wilmot getting down well to save a Phil Wingfield header and matt Gray flashing a centre across goal that could have been deflected anywhere. Jamie Ribolla, making his debut in place of the injured Tommy Dunn, coped confidently in the first half hour but was himself then injured as St Albans carved out their first chance, Youness Nabil's incisive run setting up Darren Baxter, who pushed his shot in to the side netting just before colliding with Ribolla. The keeper needed a couple of minutes' treatment, and struggled to take goal kicks thereafter, but even at full fitness he would have had no chance as Saints took the lead five minutes before half time, a long throw from the left being flicked on and Simon Martin in acres of space to volley in from twelve yards. It was slightly against the run of play, but attacking down the hill in the second half U's started brightly and could justifiably claim they were robbed of a probable equaliser when Rob Haworth was fouled just outside the penalty area before escaping his marker, but Mr Lee decided that a centre forward clear in the penalty area with just the goalkeeper to beat didn't constitute sufficient advantage and pulled play back to award U's the free kick they didn't really want. Wingfield's free kick was tipped over by Wilmot and from the resulting corner Scott Corbett fired the ball back from beyond the far post and Matt Gray wasn't quite able to divert it goalwards. U's mood didn't improve as within a minute Ribolla made a good low save to push Nabil's shot round the post, but when U's only half cleared the corner and it was hooked back from the right touchline the defence was again conspicuous by its absence as Richard Evans poked the ball past Ribolla. U's almost replied within five minutes, but Haworth lifted a shot just wide before being clattered by Wilmot, who escaped with a yellow card only because he got there so late that it was already evident that Haworth wouldn't have scored. Saints should have sewn the game up when Nabil blazed high over the bar from close range, but introducing an attacker, Matt Fowler, for a defender, Nick Drew, gave U's the impetus to dominate the last half hour and Ribolla's goal wasn't threatened again. Wilmot earned his Man of the Match award as he kept out a low Gray shot, and then a firm Haworth header following a corner, while Corbett had a shot deflected just wide and shot over from a free kick. It was a frustrating night, and after his failure to give Haworth the chance of that equaliser early in the second half the referee proved it was no fluke right at the end by giving U's a free kick for offside, some 30 yards from their own goal, just as their clearance landed at the feet of an unchallenged Fowler midway inside the home half.

St Albans: Wilmot, Dignam, Holding, Moran, Evans, Baxter(Cook 81), Kean, Nabil(Slade 64), Martin(Ansell 64), Wraight, Smith.

Sutton: Ribolla, Palmer, Gonsalves, Mison, Drew(Fowler 62), Honey, Gray, Corbett, Wingfield, Haworth, Akuamoah. Subs n/u Timothy, Hammonds.

Referee: R Lee Attendance: 213

U's have the chance to influence the title race on Saturday when they visit Canvey Island. If leaders Gravesend beat Boreham Wood, Sutton could send the championship to Kent by avoiding defeat. Next Tuesday they entertain Grays at Gander Green Lane(7.30pm).

U's reserves go in search of silverware on Monday when they face Dulwich in the Surrey Premier Cup final at Carshalton's Colston Avenue ground. Their hopes of a cup treble vanished on Tuesday when they went out of the Challenge Shield in the quarter finals, losing 2-0 at home to Corinthian Casuals. They had reached that stage with a 3-0 win over Whyteleafe last Thursday, scorers Aaron Smith(2) and Chad Heuston. They close their league campaign this Saturday away at Hendon, while the youth team, at home to Banstead this Friday, play the return game at Merland Rise next Friday, 26th April.