City coasted to the end of the regular season allowing visitors Sutton to record an impressive ninth away win of the campaign courtesy of Craig Watkins’ late strike in the Milton Road sunshine.

Having secured second place with a 2-0 victory at Carshalton last weekend Gary Roberts’ took the opportunity to rest key defenders Glen Fuff and Matt Langston, with Darren Spinks and Brady Stone stepping up, whilst Matt Robinson dropped to the bench allowing Dave Sadler to return from his recent injury.

Carl Williams takes a tumble during this challenge

Sutton sealed their survival last Saturday with a 1-0 win over Welling courtesy of a Joff Vansittart goal but rounded off their home programme in disappointing fashion with a 3-0 defeat at the hands of Weymouth in midweek. Boss John Rains making three changes for the last outing on the fixture list with Tony Quinton, Steve Douglas and Chris Nurse replacing Nigel Brake, Scott Corbett and Jermaine Hunter respectively.

The game got off to a bright start, inside three minutes Dale Binns found Dave Sadler with a searching cross field pass, the twenty goal striker laid the ball back for Carl Williams whose rising drive forced Andy Iga to palm over the bar in spectacular fashion.

As Sutton countered Lee Summerscales conceded a free-kick some 25 yards out. Paul Honey played the ball to Matt Gray whose low strike bounced awkwardly in front of Duncan Roberts forcing the giant custodian to guide the shot around his upright at the expense of a corner.

Looking lively on his return Dave Sadler then accelerated onto Richard Scott’s intelligent threaded pass but Iga was alert to the danger and raced from his line to block at point blank range.

More neat build up play down the left saw Jon Stevenson collect and lay the ball inside to Gary Fisken in space but the Swansea City loanee who had scored in each of his last two home appearances fired high of the target.

In attempting to take a quick free kick City were caught out as the move broke down, Steve Douglas latched onto the loose ball and found space on the edge of the Lilywhites’ box but dragged his shot wide.

Sutton came close to breaking the deadlock when Eddie Akuamoah got in front of Carl Williams and latched onto Gray’s cross but rolled his effort across the face of goal.

With the visitors enjoying a decent spell Craig Watkins powered through the inside right channel, leaving Brady Stone in his wake before unleashing a dipping drive which forced Roberts into a full length save.

Richard Scott in midfield action with Sutton's Craig Watkins

The Surrey side had their rhythm disrupted by the withdrawal of midfielder Paul Honey late in the half and nearly conceded moments before the break when a neat one-two saw Stevenson release Sadler but lacking a little sharpness after missing the last three games the former Hinckley hit-man curled his shot just the wrong side of the post.

Gary Roberts made two changes at the interval, Jon Stevenson, who had a quiet 45 minutes made way for Matt Robinson and Richard Scott, who had been booked and taken a knock was withdrawn in favour of Josh Simpson, making first senior appearance since picking up a serious injury at Bishop’s Stortford six weeks ago.

Matt Robinson almost made an immediate impact, latching onto Carl Williams’ centre he benefited from a deflection off Ryan Palmer before lobbing the advancing Iga only to see his effort fade narrowly wide.

Ten minutes into the half Dave Sadler took a blow to the head and not wishing to take any unnecessary risks with the play-offs looming was substituted by Gary Roberts, allowing Michael Gash a longer than expected run out.

Playing with a relaxation that can be evident at this stage of the season with nothing at stake Sutton created a good opening thanks to the influential Gray who played Watkins in but the former Epsom striker failed to trouble Roberts when well placed.

As the game ebbed and flowed City enjoyed a decent spell of their own. Fisken collected Darren Spinks’ throw and went on a mazy run through the inside left channel before attempting an audacious chip with the outside of his boot which nearly embarrassed an out of position Iga.

Captain for the day Craig Pope then came close to capping an outstanding season with his first goal for the club when he exchanged passes with Michael Gash before firing high from the edge of the box.

Robinson then capitalised on a huge Roberts’ goal kick as he got into the space between Tony Quinton and Andy Iga and outjumped the ‘keeper but couldn’t find the target with his header.

Dave Sadler is beaten in the air

Having failed to capitalise on their superiority City then handed the initiative back to Sutton who enjoyed a ten minute spell of pressure which culminated in the winning goal. Matt Gray was the orchestrator. Firstly his cut back from the right found Watkins in space, only a brave block from Lee Summerscales preventing a strike on goal. United’s 2003/2004 ‘Player of the Year’ then played in Watkins who in turn found the giant Vansittart but the former Crawley striker was crowded out by Craig Pope. Then switching to the left Gray sent a near post free kick skimming off the woodwork and into the side netting.

Having tormented City with his delivery from feet it was the right wing-back’s long throw which was to be the Lilywhites’ undoing. Duncan Roberts tried to force his way through a crowd of players to come and collect the ball launched in from the right but spilled it under challenge allowing Watkins to prod home from close range.

City upped the pace in the closing stages as they chased an equaliser and carved out a couple of half chances. Matt Robinson worked himself a shooting position from wide left, Iga fumbled the strike but Ryan Palmer was on hand to tidy up.

A final flourish saw Dale Binns collect Craig Pope’s pass and run strongly at the heart of the Sutton defence holding off three challenges before checking to the right and firing back across Iga but the formal Millwall stopper preserved his side’s clean sheet with a smart block.

Sutton celebrated a successful survival battle with their large contingent of travelling fans whilst City were left to contemplate the next game at Milton Road, the Conference South Play-Off Final next weekend, when the stakes will be much higher.