report By Tony Dolbear

Sutton haven't had many setbacks so far in a season that has to date probably risen above expectations, but they suffered a major one on Tuesday when they went out of the FA Cup at home to a side that they had convincingly beaten seven days earlier in the league. Sutton may not have done themselves any favours by playing so well last week, as their performance made it clear to Heybridge what needed to be done, and while the Essex side's direct and at times over physical approach isn't to all tastes, they deserve credit for negating U's major threats in the subsequent week. Sutton had just the start they wanted, with Nick Bailey almost scoring inside five minutes after a good run that saw fit again keeper Kingsley Banks save, and they were ahead inside half an hour as Matt Fowler punished Banks for some hesitancy to score following a throw in. Heybridge were level, though, five minutes before half time when Dave Rainford produced a 30 yard free kick from the Danny Bolt scrapbook. Sutton should have regained the lead right at the start of the seconds half when Heybridge failed to clear a free kick and Fowler shot wide when it looked easier to hit the target, and continued to play the better looking football without coming that close to scoring. Rainford tried his luck again from 30 yards but was just too high, and Andy Pape saved a low shot from Danny Barber following a corner, but with twelve minutes left Ryan Palmer stretched to cut out a cross from the right but couldn't reach it, and Paul Abrahams turned to shoot across Pape in to the far corner of the net. U's response was the immediate introduction of Matt Gray, who should have scored with his first touch when Fowler headed back a free kick, but his miscue summed up U's night, and Bailey wasted the best chance to force extra time right at the end when he headed over from Bolt's free kick.
Heybridge: Banks, Dignum, Barber, Pollard, Culverhouse, Hunter(Tomlinson 86), Abrahams, Rainford, Gough(Windows 75), Budge, Baillie. Subs n/u Blackwell, Walker, Bruce
Sutton: Pape, Beale(Timothy 72), Ottley(Gray 81), Palmer, Brett, Bailey, Bolt, Corbett, Fowler, Watson, Gonsalves. Subs n/u Hanlan, Honey, Dunn
Referee: E Mackrell Attendance 385

Lewis Gonsalves became this season's first winner of the Securicor Player of the Month award when he picked up the trophy for August/September before Tuesday's game.

Sutton are away to Hayes on Saturday while the reserves, who lost 3-1 at home to Hendon on Saturday, face Hayes at Gander Green Lane.