Kingstonian 0

Sutton United 0

In front of a bumper crowd of 2,019 Sutton will regret missed chances, and an opportunity to have put some distance between themselves and one of their main rivals in the championship.

 They started much the better and could have been three up before Kingston got into their stride. A Gwynne Berry header from a free kick in the first minute only just cleared the bar and only two minutes later Matt Hanlan failed to get a free header on target after good work by Andy Salako. Sutton were dominating at this point and a foul on David Everitt when he got round the defence earned Dean Hooper a booking. Twenty-five minutes gone and perhaps the best chance of all fell to Everitt following a good cross by Danny Brooker. He met the ball alone at the far post but put his volley over the bar with the keeper stranded.

 On thirty-two minutes came the moment that changed the game. From a Kingston corner there was a clash of heads in the box between Gwynne Berry and Terry Evans. The Kingston player returned after treatment swathed in a head bandage but Berry was clearly unfit to continue and was replaced by Dave Pattullo. Sutton lost their rhythm and were glad to get to the break level as first Dave Leworthy and then Eddie Akuamoah both had opportunities to score as Sutton tried to re organise at the back. Les Cleevely made one stunning stop from Akuamoah at his right hand post and Pattullo was booked for a foul a minute from the break.

 At half time Sutton made a tactical change Sean Daly going off and John Ugbah coming on to strengthen the midfield. Vansittart was booked early on in the second half for a foul but Sutton again began the half strongly. Six minutes gone and a good run and cross by David Everitt gave Matt Hanlan a chance at the near post and he forced a fine save from Jerome John but the ball flew to Jimmy Dack twelve yards out and he should have done better with his shot which went a yard over the bar.

 Lloyd Wye was booked for a foul on Vansittart with fifteen minutes gone and two minutes later Steve Watson was booked for a bad foul on Akuamoah as he threatened to get away. Kingston had the better of the last 15 minutes Akuamoah and Freeman both going close but in the end neither side did well enough in front of goal and a point a piece probably suited Sutton more than Kingston.

 Sutton now look forward to a home game next Saturday with Basingstoke who held mighty Wycombe Wanderers to a two all draw in the FA Cup at Adams Park yesterday.