Report by Tony Dolbear

Sutton moved up to 4th place in the Ryman League Premier Division on Tuesday, and kept a top three finish firmly in their sights, with a win that was set up by a fine attacking performance in the half hour either side of half time, followed by some stout defensive work and excellent goalkeeping as Grays fought back well to try and salvage a point. Before the game Ryan Palmer received the Securicor Player of the Month award for February, and he almost celebrated in style with a goal inside three minutes, firing in a shot following a Danny Bolt corner that was tipped over by goalkeeper Mel Capleton. That came in the middle of a bright start for Sutton, but they were unable to maintain the pressure as Grays denied U's attack the space to pose a concerted threat. After a scrappy half hour, though, a piece of opportunism from Danny Hodges gave U's the breakthrough.

Another Bolt corner caused problems in the penalty area, and as the ball bounced around Hodges, with his back to goal, connected with a first time volley on the turn that flew past a surprised Capleton. Two minutes later Sutton almost doubled their lead as Matt Fowler guided Tom Dunn's clearance in to Bolt's path, and although his shot beat Capleton, Robin Trott managed somehow to clear it off the line for a corner. Mark Watson should also have scored, shooting straight at Capleton after breaking free on the left with Fowler unmarked in the six yard box, and Grays reminded U's of the fragility of a single goal lead when Lee Goodwin volleyed against the outside of the post following a free kick. Nevertheless, U's continued to dominate at the start of the second half, with Watson just failing to make sufficient contact with a close range header from a superb Bolt cross, and Hodges seeing an effort scrambled off the line after a Bolt free kick had deflected in to his path. The second goal arrived ten minutes after half time, though, as Watson atoned for his earlier misses in thrilling style. Receiving the ball close to the left touchline and with two defenders in close attention, his options seemed limited to a simple lay back to Bolt, but showing the strength that makes him such a formidable proposition he turned in past his markers, stormed in to the penalty area and unleashed a low shot that went straight through the startled Capleton. How important that goal was became clear over the last half hour as Grays battled back strongly. Dunn was in no mood to see his excellent recent record blemished, though, and produced two saves of the highest quality, reaching back at full stretch to tip away an Adam Miller chip that looked to have been judged to perfection, and then reacting superbly to get down and push away a low shot on the turn from Roy Essendoh. Former Charlton and Wimbledon striker Carl Leaburn was thrown on in an attempt to lend height to the Grays attack, and headed a right wing cross just over, while Essendoh sent a low shot just across the face of goal. He might also have had a penalty near the end when referee Paul Harrison was one of the few people in the ground not to think that Hodges held him back as they contested a cross from the right, but it wasn't all Grays in the last half hour and Sutton consistently threatened more goals on the break. They came closest when Fowler was put through on the right, outpaced his marker but thumped his shot against the near post with Bolt this time the unmarked and slightly aggrieved party in support.

Sutton: T Dunn, M Gray, E Akuamoah, R Palmer, D Hodges, N Bailey, D Bolt, P Honey, M Fowler, M Watson, L Gonsalves. Subs n/u C Brown, D Brooker, S Corbett. Goals: Hodges(30), Watson(55).

Grays: M Capleton, D Hipgrave, J Nutter, P Smith, L Goodwin, R Trott, A Miller, D Conway, R Essendoh, J Hunter(sub C Leaburn 64), M Carthy. Subs n/u J Broom, J Lunan, M Stimson, A Keeper

Referee: P Harrison Attendance: 423