ACE TZANEV JUST CAN’T BE BEATEN BY MOORS

SUTTON UNITED and Solihull Moors shared the spoils from a hard-fought game – but thanks only to a heroic display from home keeper Nik Tzanev and some wild Solihull shooting.

Tzanev made a series of fine saves to keep out Moors, in particular a stunning stop to deny Callum Howe, which drew praise from former England goalkeeper Tim Flowers in the Solihull dug-out.

“You’ve got to give their keeper credit – the save from Callum Howe was magnificent,” said boss Flowers, disappointed not to have won the game with the chances his side created.

“It was a competitive game against a good, in-form side, and I thought we were excellent and always looked a threat.

“We’ve created five or six good chances and it’s disappointing that one of them didn’t go in.”

Sutton’s Omar Bugiel conjured up the first effort of an entertaining first half with a looping shot which cannoned off the top of the crossbar, while Tommy Wright saw a shot saved by Ryan Boot. Harry Beautyman then pulled the ball wide after being set up by David Ajiboye.

At the other end, Tzanev held a Howe header under the bar and diverted a close range effort from James Ball.

But Moors’ two best chances came in quick succession as Tzanev made amends for his part in a mix-up with Ben Goodliffe with a fine save to turn away Kyle Storer’s 20-yard shot, before Jason Cowley – signed on loan from Stevenage on Friday – missed a chance of a debut goal, heading wide from close range.

In a more attritional second half, it was the visitors who had the edge and twice hit the woodwork. Cowley’s superb dipping shot clipped the top of the crossbar and then Tzanev produced a superb save to tip Howe’s shot on to the post from one of many long throws from George Carline.

That, though, was the only clearcut chance Solihull created from their numerous set-pieces, and although a lot of clearances landed at the feet of Solihull players, the shooting was often wayward, failing to trouble Tzanev.

Jake Beesley was close when he just failed to make contact with Cowley’s low cross, but although the U’s attack found it hard to make any impact on the Solihull defence, they could have snatched victory on the break. The hard-working Wright got the better of Howe and set up Beautyman, who was denied by a superb challenge from Tyrone Williams, while Louis John’s late effort following a free-kick was blocked.

Sutton boss Matt Gray commented: ‘It was a very hard-earned point against a side who are difficult to play against.

“We needed to stand up to their threat from set-pieces and I thought we did it superbly.’’