Report by Tony Dolbear

Making harder work of it than seemed likely as they dominated the first three quarters of Saturday's Ryman League game at Gander Green Lane, Sutton nevertheless moved back in to the top five of the Premier Division and at the same time deepened Heybridge's concerns over whether they will remain in the top flight next season. U's were well worth their win, but having only Danny Bolt's penalty to show for their early good work they and their supporters had to endure some anxious moments before Matt Fowler finally settled matters two minutes from time. Recalled to the first team following his stay at Banstead, goalkeeper Tom Dunn should have been picking the ball out of the net inside the first ten minutes as Lee Kersey put an unmarked header over the bar from a right wing cross, but he ended with a clean sheet and the plaudits for a crucial save from Steve Portway when it seemed that Heybridge might grab an undeserved point. There was also a debut for Tyrone London, a tall defender who has spent much of this season with Kent League outfit Erith Town, and he showed promise before having to retire at half time with a hamstring strain. Returning skipper Scott Corbett completed an unfamiliar back line for U's, but that Kersey header was Heybridge's only chance of the first half, while at the other end Nick Bailey was just wide with a snap shot from twelve yards and Ryan Palmer had a shot deflected over following Danny Bolt's deep corner. The breakthrough came seven minutes from the end of a half that had been punctuated by several stoppages as Mark Watson and Fowler, subjected to some challenges best described as robust during the half, combined to good effect. Watson flicked on a long clearance and Fowler survived a narrow offside call to put himself goal side of Danny Barber, whose efforts to recover saw him haul Fowler to the ground. The Heybridge protests owed more to the lack of an offside flag than what was a fairly clear cut penalty decision for referee Ralph Bone, and Danny Bolt comfortably scored from the spot. Before half time Watson thudded a shot in to the body of goalkeeper Tim Bruce and Bolt sent a superb dipping volley from 25 yards just over. It was a strong end to the half, and U's continued in a similar fashion after the break. Bolt beat two defenders with a wonderful piece of skill before hitting a fierce shot that Bruce pushed away just out of reach of the oncoming Bailey, and substitute Eddie Akuamoah sent in a low cross that evaded everyone and just missed the far post. Another goal then and U's might have gone on to a convincing victory, but they began to lose their way around the penalty area and Heybridge saw their chance. Paul Abrahams cut in from the left before shooting straight at Dunn, and a diving Kersey just failed to make contact with Dave Hadrava's right wing cross. Although Bruce was tested by a 25 yard Matt Gray shot and a low Bolt free kick, the latter requiring two grabs as Watson looked for the rebound, an equaliser looked ever more possible and Dunn made a crucial save when he dived at Portway's feet ten yards out and got enough of a touch to push the ball wide. Adam Gillespie shot across goal, but Sutton finally calmed the nerves when Watson found Bolt on the left, and when his low cross eventually came in some poor defending saw the ball fall to Fowler, who emphatically beat Bruce from close range.

Sutton: T Dunn, M Gray, T London(E Akuamoah H-T), R Palmer, S Corbett, N Bailey, D Bolt, P Honey, M Fowler, M Watson, L Gonsalves. Subs n/u D Beale, N Drew. Goals: Bolt(38 pen), Fowler (88). Booked: Gray(65-foul).

Heybridge: T Bruce, D Hadrava(A Gillespie 70), D Barber, J Quilter, L Kersey, D Kreyling(R Gould 68), L Hunter, L Baillie, S Portway, P Abrahams, J Window(A Sodje 57). Sub n/u D Placid. Booked: Barber(53-persistent infringement).

Referee: R Bone Attendance 514