report by Tony Dolbear

After a season in which the positives have by some distance outweighed the negatives it would have been a pity had Sutton finished with a run of seven league games without a win. Therefore it was fitting that, having rather limped towards the finishing line in recent weeks, U's came up with a late burst on Saturday to clinch a top six finish that would have been considered the height of optimism after their miserable pre-season campaign in August. Even more fitting was the fact that the two goals that clinched victory inside the last ten minutes were scored by Nick Bailey, whose graduation from youth team prospect to first team regular epitomises just why this has been such a satisfying season. With Braintree safe from the threat of relegation and U's able to be forgiven had they conserved their energies for Wednesday's Surrey Senior Cup final there was every reason to expect this to be a routine end of season affair, but instead both sides came out intent on attack. Within the first minute Jamie Ribolla made a fine save to turn round a 20 yard shot from the impressive Jamie Richards, but two minutes later it was Sutton who went in front. Matt Hanlan set up the opportunity with a well timed run that took him clear on the left, and although his cross was blocked Danny Bolt was on hand to lift the ball to the far post and give Mark Watson a simple header. That proved to be the only goal of the first half, but Braintree in particular came close to changing the situation. Ribolla grabbed a Bradley Quinton header at the second attempt, Eddie Akuamoah cleared off the line when Richards diverted a right wing corner goalwards, and shortly after that Paul Cobb seized on a poor clearance and crossed to the far post where Danny Brooker's challenge force Richards to miscue a shot wide. U's were also indebted to Ryan Palmer, presented with the Supporters' Club Player of the Year award before the game, for being in the right place to hook clear after Dean Parratt had lobbed the advancing Ribolla. Bolt had Simon Morden scrambling to turn over a teasing left wing cross, but Braintree were entitled to feel a little hard done by when they trailed at the break. Fortunes soon evened themselves out, though, when six minutes in to the second half Quinton's cross was headed clear by Dean Hamlin, whose emergence as a right back comfortable at this level has been among the highlights of the past month. On this occasion, though, referee Matt Knight was less impressed and penalised Hamlin for pushing, although the ball was almost outside the penalty area by the time the whistle went. Hamlin and several of his team mates seemed mystified, but Cobb placed the penalty to Ribolla's left to equalise. Sutton should have been back in front soon afterwards when Watson burst free on the right but, still feeling the effects of a knock on the ankle moments earlier, he shot straight at Morden and, when Bailey knocked the rebound back towards goal, Watson diverted it just wide. It was to be his last chance to register his 100th goal in Sutton colours, as he soon made way for Matt Gray, and as the game became progressively scrappy it was Gray who had the best chance to break the deadlock. Hamlin's superb pass in from the right found him at the far post, but he failed to trouble Morden with a weak shot. It was looking like a draw, and probably a fair outcome, but U's came to life in time to deserve victory and struck with ten minutes left. Gray made inroads from right to left, and then matched the timing of Bailey's run with the timing of his pass. Bailey shrugged off a defender and calmly slotted the ball home, and three minutes later rounded of the campaign in exciting style. Again it was Gray who provided the well timed pass, this time enabling Bailey to beat the offside trap, race clear and beat Morden before rolling the ball goalwards with just enough pace to beat the covering defender. It ensured an upbeat end to the season, and put U's in good heart for Wednesday's final although the injury to Watson, and a cut head suffered by Brooker, will have caused concern .

Sutton: J Ribolla, D Hamlin, E Akuamoah, R Palmer, D Brooker(D Beale 72), N Bailey, D Bolt, S Corbett(P Honey 85), M Hanlan, M Watson(M Gray 54), C Brown. Goals: Watson(3), Bailey(80,83).

Braintree: S Morden, B Girling, M Jones, O Blackwell, D Culverhouse, B Quinton, L Hammond(A Porter 56), P Cobb(G Waters 77), J Richards(T Noble 71), D Parratt, L Riddle. Sub n/u P Catley. Goal: Cobb(51 pen) Booked: Quinton(56-kicking the ball away).

Referee: M Knight Attendance: 535