SOUTH: SUTTON UNITED 0 CAMBRIDGE CITY 3

After going out of the FA Trophy to Grays on Saturday, a second encounter with one of the sides chasing promotion from Nationwide South proved no less painful on Tuesday as Cambridge City enhanced their hopes with what was ultimately a comfortable victory.

A goal behind despite having the advantage of a strong wind in the first half, U's hopes were fading as they switched ends for the second half, particularly without Joff Vansittart, whose aerial power had caused the visitors some problems, but failed to reappear for the second 45 after suffering an ankle injury.

Even with the wind behind them in the first half it took U's a while to settle, although Nigel Brake did fire in one early shot that was deflected to safety, and by the time they were able to put Cambridge under any pressure they had already gone a goal down. Kevin Hemsley failed to control a through ball and Matt Robinson was put clear to beat Phil Wilson with an impressive finish.

Wilson did well to deny former Hendon striker Dale Binns with his legs, but as the half went on U's began to dominate possession. However, they found Cambridge's defence as solid as any they have come up against this season and despite Vansittart's efforts, and a succession of corners, they were unable give goalkeeper Duncan Roberts any serious worries.

Brake might have done better when a scrambled clearance fell to him but he shot too high, and Roberts' worst moment was when he came to kick clear a back-pass and completely missed - the ball rolling wide of the empty net.

Vansittart went down with an ankle injury just before the break however, giving Steve Douglas the chance to show the form that has seen him score nearly 30 goals at reserve and youth level this season, but he had had no time to make an impact before Cambridge doubled their lead - Craig Pope's free kick being volleyed in by Brady Stone.

For all their efforts Sutton were unable to make any impression on the visitors' rearguard - the youthful pairing of Douglas and Craig Watkins finding it hard going - and they were increasingly vulnerable to counter-attacks.

With nineteen minutes left, a free-kick in to the penalty area was flicked on leaving Robinson in behind the defence, and as Wilson came out the two players collided. Referee Chris Salt had to decide whether Wilson had impeded the striker and, if he had, whether it was a clear goalscoring opportunity. In both cases his answer was affirmative, so Wilson was sent off and Lewis Gonsalves took over to be beaten by Robinson's fiercely struck spot-kick.

Gonsalves then excelled in his new role to prevent Robbie Simpson and substitute Michael Gash adding to the score, and while the entry of Matt Gray for his 200th Sutton appearance at last gave the defence some awkward moments, U's were unable to claim even a consolation goal.

Sutton: P Wilson, S Booth, L Gonsalves, K Hemsley, J Scarborough, S Corbett, C Watkins, P Honey, C Nurse (sub M Gray 82), N Brake, J Vansittart (sub S Douglas H-T). Subs n/u G Boosey, G Tydeman, D Dray.
Booked: Brake
Sent Off: Wilson

Cambridge: D Roberts, C Pope, L Chaffey, B Stone, M Langston, J Simpson, A Fiddes (R Scott 73), C Williams, R Simpson, M Robinson (M Gash 80), D Binns (sub L Summerscales 78). Subs n/u R Miller, M Torsaco.
Goals: Robinson (12,71 pen), Stone (46).

Referee: C Salt (Pulborough)

Attendance: 406

U's reserves kept up their place at the top of the Suburban League on Saturday when they had one of their best results of the season, winning 3-2 against a Maidenhead side containing much of their Nationwide South squad, who were without a game.

Dave Powell gave U's an early lead, and after Maidenhead had struck back with two quick goals he scored a second to tie things up at half time. Sam Clayton scored the winner early in the second period, after which a superb defensive performance saw U's hold out for the victory.

This Saturday U's are at home to Dulwich Hamlet in a Suburban League game, kick off 3pm.

Sutton progressed in the Southern Youth League Cup last Wednesday in an exciting local derby against Carshalton, gaining revenge for their only league defeat of the season so far. Steve Douglas scored two fine goals in the first half, with Mark Dalziel clinching a 3-2 win after the break. U's were due at Whyteleafe on Wednesday, and are away to Dulwich next Thursday in the Southern Youth League