SOUTH: Sutton United 0 Bognor Regis Town 0

Despite effort that couldn't be faulted, Sutton weren't quite able to force the win on Tuesday night that would have enabled them to complete a second consecutive league double over Bognor and ease their position at the foot of the table.

They had the clearest chances, but a good performance from visiting keeper Craig Stoner, allied to a couple of moments of careless finishing, ensured that U's had to settle for a point while Bognor were unable to prevent their poor scoring record at Sutton being extended -it was the fifth consecutive league visit on which they have failed to find the net.

The visitors never quite created the clear-cut openings that U's managed, but Phil Wilson had to stretch to divert a low Scott Kirkwood shot in the 14th minute, and was also grateful to see a snap volley from Ben Davis dip wide from 25 yards. Between those incidents, Joff Vansittart chased a long Paul Honey pass, but the bounce of the ball prevented him from keeping his volley down and it sailed over the bar.

U's had a real chance in the 27th minute, though, when Honey battled well to force the ball through to Eddie Akuamoah, who was clear inside the penalty area but unable to beat the onrushing Stoner. The visiting keeper excelled again just before half time when Matt Gray - on a temporarily short fuse after an off the ball incident with Ben Moore, unseen by referee Tony Mason or his assistant but which left Gray on the floor - raced past Moore again before firing in a low cross which was cleared as far as Peter Fear, whose crashing shot was touched over by Stoner.

U's best chance, though, came before most people had taken their seats after half time as Vansittart was put clear but dragged his shot wide of the post with just Stoner to beat. The keeper denied Akuamoah again on the hour after a typically incisive dash through the Bognor defence, but the Sussex side had their best spell around this time, and Luke Nightingale, the league's leading scorer whose only first half contribution had been a booking for dissent that earned him a verbal volley from manager Jack Pearce on the touchline , fired in a low shot that Wilson held well.

Wilson also held on to a low shot from Davis, and Kirkwood headed just wide from a right wing free-kick, but Sutton finished strongly and were the more deserving side if a winner was to come. Stoner had other ideas though, saving well when Nigel Brake met a Gray chip from the right with a glancing header, and then turning aside a firm Gray shot after Brake had made the most of a good advantage played by the referee, who saw Kevin Murphy clatter in to Akuamoah after he had played the ball wide to Brake, and booked him before the resulting corner was taken.

U's final frustration came with two minutes left when Lewis Gonsalves escaped the Bognor defence to meet a Gray free kick, but couldn't direct his header which flew harmlessly wide.

Sutton: P Wilson, M Gray, L Gonsalves, T Quinton, J Scarborough, P Fear, S Booth, P Honey, J Vansittart, N Brake, E Akuamoah. Subs not used: Martin, G Boosey, G Haylock.

Bognor: C Stoner, D Piper, B Moore, N Davis (sub M Russell 77), C Breach (sub D Wright 50), K Murphy, S Kirkwood, J Howell, B Watson, L Nightingale, J Rowland. Subs n/u G Rutherford, D Ryan, C Hunwick. Booked: Nightingale (33 - dissent), Murphy(83 - foul)

Referee: T Mason(Sidcup)

Attendance: 399