Hatters halt the
COUNTY’S first ever visit to Sutton United proved a fruitful one; as The Hatters battled to a goalless draw to halt a run of five successive defeats on Saturday afternoon in the National League.
The stalemate also proved to be County’s first goalless outing in over two years, since a bore draw with Bradford PA in the National League North back in September 2017.
Hatters chief Jim Gannon, after admitting that changes needed to be made after a 4-0 hammering by National League South champions Torquay Utd at Edgeley Park a week prior, opted for two of them in his starting line-up.
Defender Ash Palmer crucially returning to the defence after missing three games with a hip injury, while influential midfielder Sam Walker was recalled one-match suspension – replacing Festus Arthur and Joe Leesley, who were both named among the substitutes.
In truth, The Hatters will reflect on a much improved performance on the 3G surface at Gander Green Lane, but may also rue a number of missed opportunities which prevented Gannon’s men from taking all three points on the day.
Perhaps most vitally, a huge penalty appeal for handball was also turned down late in the second half for The Hatters, with replays later showing a clear offence by Sutton defender Milsom inside the hosts’ area.
But, as Gannon observed after proceedings, Sutton themselves may also have nicked the win after spurning a flurry of late chances - so, after a five hundred mile round trip, Gannon and company left Greater London satisfied with their lot.
With two minutes played, County launched the first attack of note on the ‘astroturf’-like surface – the lively Sam Minihan and Adam Thomas worked it down the County right flank before the impressive Minihan crossed for striker Frank Mulhern to fire straight at home stopper Butler.
Gannon has made no secret for his desire for a more natural left-back at Edgeley Park in recent weeks, with the versatile Dan Cowan consistently plugging away in an unnatural position on the County left, and tricky Sutton winger David Ajiboye was causing the former Macclesfield rightback all kinds of problems early on in London.
And Ajiboye created the best chance of the game midway through the first half, cutting inside the unfortunate Cowan into acres of space, before cutting back for Tommy Wright to inexplicably blaze over the crossbar.
Minutes later, a similar move followed suit as Ajiboye cut back for Aaron Jarvis, only for the returning Palmer to this time produce a stupendous block.
Scunthorpe loanee Adam Hammill showed glimpses of his obvious ability throughout the tie, crossing on a plate for Mulhern to curl inches wide of the far upright from the edge of the area as the game ebbed and flowed.
The Hatters enjoyed a spell of dominance in terms of both possession and chances towards the end of the half - yet it was almost the hosts who hit the front, when danger man Harry Beautyman skied over from 10 yards out.
Sutton substitute Kenny Davis, who had been introduced for the yellowcarded Barden during the first half, let rip with the first attempt of the second, as his attempt from distance flew narrowly over.
With the final 10 minutes remaining, the huge handball appeal was waved away as substitute Joe Leesley challenged for AJ aerial ball inside the Sutton area, before the non-stop Adam Thomas toe-poked the close range rebound just beyond the right post.
Despite County’s spells in the game, Sutton went on to spurn a number of late chances in quick succession, including the fading Ajiboye blazing well over the crossbar after getting the better of a duel with Cowan in stoppage time.
County had done more than enough to earn a point, and focus now switches towards a big Edgeley Park double header this week - starting with the visit of Hartlepool Utd, live on BT Sport, this Wednesday evening.