It was FA Cup Saturday again at Coles Lane, and in this 2nd round qualifying tie it was the turn of Alfreton Town FC to come and try their luck against a team a couple of leagues lower than them.

The game started so well for Sutton and the crowd could hardly believe it as a through ball for Letford saw him released on the far side. His pace took him past a defender, and a low shot across the box saw the ball fly under Ramsbottom and into the back of the net. GOAL! 1-0 to Sutton.

Six minutes in, and a long throw created problems for the Alfreton defence as a volley from Smith saw the ball fly into the bottom right hand corner. GOAL! 2-0 Sutton. The crowd went wild and I had to double check I was at the right ground! An amazing start without even getting very far into the game.

On 25 minutes Letford tried and nearly extended the lead even further, Shiels was unable to win a high ball which Letford pounced on , but unfortunately, Ramsbottom made a point blank save. Sutton were making some good chances and Alfreton looked like rabbits in the headlights.

The visitors came back into the game when a low 25 yard shot from Clifton rattled the left-hand post. Dawes turned his man, flew past the Alfreton defenders before a crunching tackle saw his run end. He won a free kick following what looked like a two footed tackle, unfortunately the ref was unconvinced. Josh Wilde took the resulting free kick which went straight into the wall.

Sinnott floated a ball into the Sutton defence, it was headed back across goal to Gowling who managed to bundle the ball in the net but it was ruled out as offside. The first half was a great one for Sutton, 2-0 up and the fans dreaming of being in the hat for the next round.

HT 2:0

Max McNulty came on for Dell at the start of the second half, and Alfreton came at Sutton straight away with Bacon firing past the post from Bateson’s cross. Suddenly it was one-way traffic, and no surprise when Peniket fired home at close range as Sutton defence failed to clear from a Clifton throw in.

It was all Alfreton now who had their tails up after getting back into the game; Sutton just could not get hold of the ball. Hopkins was called on to make a save on the hour as Bateson put a low cross to Peniket for a half chance.

61 minutes in and a sizzler from Bacon saw the net bulge top right-hand corner. It broke the Sutton faithful’s hearts. On 70 minutes Palmer came on for Hearsey, soon after Dawes went off and Daniel Lomas came on. The lads had battled well and Toothy made the quick changes as Sutton were tiring and Alfreton were relentless in attacking pushing for the win. Alfreton had corner after corner, often played short which Sutton failed to get to grips with.

The final whistle was a welcome relief for Sutton and a hindrance to Alfreton as another 5 minutes and they would surely have won the tie. Sutton had the first half, Alfreton the second; a draw was a fair result and a massive improvement on the Yaxley result the week before. Well done Sutton, you did the Town proud; let’s have another great spectacle on Tuesday night at the Impact Arena.

MOTM as voted for on Twitter - James Beresford

Come on you Royals!