Pereira pair DION’S DOUBLE IS TOAST OF YELLOWS

PEREIRA 64, 74, PATRICK 89

DION PEREIRA’S first goals for Sutton sent one of English football’s most feared giantkillers into the third round for the first time since 2017.

Horsham, reprieved by Barnsley fielding an ineligible player, lost 3-0 in the FA Cup for the second round running as on-loan Luton winger Pereira’s quick feet and quality in the box proved the difference.

No tie here would be complete without daydreams of the afternoon Sutton humbled top-flight Coventry in the third round almost 35 years ago. Manager Matt Gray isn’t cut from the same cloth as that team’s pipe-smoking history teacher Barrie Williams but his side is honest and committed.

Yellows boss Gray said: “When you are playing against a team from lower down the pyramid, it’s important to match their intensity and desire. Although we ended up with a makeshift team out there, with several players out of their normal positions, we were professional and dominant.

“When we needed a bit of quality to make it count, Dion provided it with two great finishes – and he could have had a hat-trick.”

Horsham goalkeeper Lewis Carey had an inspired first half, twice denying Pereira and making another decent stop to thwart Harry Smith. Even when he was beaten, Bobby Price’s goal-line clearance bailed him out, then Aiden O’brien fired wide from Smith’s flick when clean through. As freezing fog swirled in, Sutton couldn’t find a way through until Pereira burst into the box and shot beyond the valiant Carey on 64 minutes.

And Horsham’s second coming in this competition was all over 10 minutes later, when substitute Omari Patrick’s cross reached Pereira beyond the far post and the ex-watford man drilled emphatically into the bottom corner.

Patrick curled another fine finish beyond Carey with just seconds left to settle all arguments.

Horsham were game but lacked a cutting edge and boss Dominic Di Paola admitted: “I was frustrated with our second-half performance but Sutton were relentless.

“The fans will remember this cup run for a long time, especially Barnsley away, but we didn’t do the things we are normally good at.” SUTTON: Bouzanis 6; Jackson 6 (Patrick (49) 7), Kizzi 7, Clay 7, Sowunmi 6 (Fadahunsi (14) 6); Coley 6, O’brien 6 (Dundas (90) 6), N’guessan 7, Smith 7 (Angol (90) 6); Pereira 8 (Mellor (90) 6), Beautyman 6 HORSHAM: Carey 7; Price 6 (Kadell (79) 5), Sparks 7, Strange 6, Brivio 5; Harding 6, Hester-cook 6 (Rodrigues (68) 5), Hammond 6 (Barker (87) 5), Kavanagh 5 (Mazzone (79) 5), Ajakaiye 6; Fenelon 5 (Richards (79) 5) STAR MAN: Dion Pereira – Livewire winger’s two-goal display was the difference between these teams. REF: Scott Tallis 6