Sutton Coldfield Town vs Gresley Rovers
Rovers relief as Sutton shoot astray - Andy Parker - Burton Mail
Gresley Rovers boss Steve Dolby came away from Coles Lane "disappointed" at dropping two more Beazer Midland points last night.
But while Sutton keeper Dale Belford had a far busier night than Gresley's Bob Aston, this could easily have been another damaging defeat for Rovers.
The Moatmen, after taking a 37th minute lead through Paul Acklam, were under the cosh for much of the second half and were mightily relieved to see two late Sutton chances fly off the mark.
Confident Rovers could have taken a first minute lead when Acklam forced Belford into the first of a string of good saves.
Sutton gave a reminder of their attacking potential when former Moatman Carl Rathbone pulled back Michael Gray's through ball but Gary Smith failed to connect.
They soon paid dearly for the miss, Acklam meeting Richard Denby's free kick from the right with an angled header of sufficient power and precision to find the corner of the net via Belford's fingertips.
Seven minutes after the interval it could easily have been 2-0 when Acklam set up Denby for a 25-yard shot that Belford could only parry to the feet of Devaney but the keeper regained his feet to produce a superb save from close range.
Sutton gradually asserting authority on the game drew level on the hour. Mick Clarke sent a right wing corner to the far post and although Whittingham's header lacked power, it crept past the unsighted Aston.
Gresley responded well with substitute Robbie Briscoe superbly setting up a close range chance that Mike Taplin fired over, then Land hit a full drive too near Belford.
Aston almost presented Sutton a goal when he hit a back pass straight to the feet of Robert Alleyne, but redeemed himself by saving at the striker's feet.
Sutton then astonishingly missed two great chances in a minute, Rathbone blazing over from eight yards after Clarke's quick free kick had caught Gresley napping, then Smith firing over from Scott Lindsey's through ball with the goal at his mercy.
Sutton Coldfield Town (0) 1
Gresley Rovers (1) 1
Scorers: Whittingham 61 (Sutton Coldfield Town); Acklam (Gresley Rovers).
Sutton Coldfield Town: Belford, Ling, Clarke, Sturgeon, Whittingham, Lindsey, Gray, Rathbone, Alleyne, Smith, Biddle. Subs not used: Manton, Carroll.
Gresley Rovers: Aston, Dick, Swainston, Denby, Evans, Land, Wardle, Weston, Acklam (Briscoe 54), Devaney, Taplin. Sub not used: Rigg.
Gresley man-of-the-match: Dave Swainston.
Referee: R S Jeavons (Coseley).
Attendance: 264
