report by Tony Dolbear

With a few notable exceptions Sutton have a poor record in the FA Trophy, and after November's fine win at Basingstoke had raised hopes of making an impact this season there was bitter disappointment on Saturday as they failed to make the most of a rare home tie and allowed Havant to claim a place in the last 32 for the first time. Referee Jarnail Singh's willingness to give the Gander Green Lane pitch every chance to recover from the recent cold spell paid dividends as he was able to pass it fit at lunchtime, but although the decision was unquestionably correct both teams still found it hard to get in to any rhythm on an uneven and unpredictable surface. Sutton looked to have settled better, and began to carve out a few chances as first Scott Corbett and then Danny Bolt played decent passes through to Mark Watson, but on the first occasion goalkeeper Steve May was off his line quickly to save, and on the second he was helped out by Chris Ferrett to deny Watson a shot. Moments later Matt Fowler also found himself clear and knocked the ball past May, but this time Alec Masson walked the ball to safety in the six yard box. Any optimism that U's could go on and take control was promptly punctured, though, as Havant scored with their first shot after 25 minutes as Bobby Howe timed his run well to collect Dean Blake's chip beyond the defence, and thumped a low shot past Andy Pape. It could have been worse for U's as three minutes later Lewis Gonsalves went over on the edge of his own penalty area under pressure from James Taylor, and Mr Singh allowed the prolific Havant striker to go on and round Pape, only for him to sky a shot over the open goal. The pitch looked as though it played a part in that miss, but it evened things up just before the break when Watson seized on a misdirected back pass and, after his shot had been parried by May rolled the ball back to give Nick Bailey what seemed a certain goal until an unkind bounce left him kicking at thin air. With May, a late stand in after Aaron Kerr was ruled out, a mixture of good saves and nervous punching at crosses U's would have fancied their chances of a second half recovery and started well enough, pushing Havant back. Their hopes evaporated, though, in a five minute spell of chaotic defending that saw Havant three up before the hour mark. First U's took three attempts to clear the ball after Tim Hambley's shot had been blocked, and then from the resulting throw in Taylor's flick on was forced in by Warren Haughton, although the final touch almost certainly belonged to Danny Brooker. Four minutes later Hambley was unmarked to meet Ferrett's cross with a downward header that squirmed from Pape's grasp and over the line before he could recover, and Havant were in total control. U's immediately threw on Eddie Akuamoah, and to their credit rarely let their heads drop as they dominated possession without being able to make any impact on the scoreline. Matt Gray seemed the best route to a way back, and almost created a goal with a low cross that was met by Bailey at the near post only for May to block the effort, but it wasn't until eight minutes from time that U's finally reduced the arrears, and then in messy fashion as both Bailey and Fowler missed out in a goalmouth scramble that was eventually finished by Watson, who looked suspiciously offside as he walked the ball over the line. Watson sent another volley just over a couple of minutes later, but two goals in eight minutes always looked a tall order and Havant eased in to the 4th round.

Sutton: A Pape, M Gray, M Hollands(E Akuamoah 61), R Palmer, D Brooker, N Bailey, D Bolt(P Honey 61), S Corbett, M Fowler, M Watson, L Gonsalves. Subs n/u D Beale, T Smith. Goal: Watson(82). Booked: Gray(20-dissent).

Havant: S May, A Masson, C Ferrett, N Champion(P Wood 67), G Hall, C Hanson, D Blake, T Hambley(N Davis 61), B Howe, J Taylor(C Leworthy 83), W Haughton. Subs n/u S Hale, D Leworthy. Goals: Howe(25), Haughton(55), Hambley(59). Booked: Hall(28-foul), Hambley(30-kicking the ball away).
Referee: J Singh Attendance 645.