Sutton United bow out of the FA Trophy

Their conquerors, Havant & Waterlooville, gained some revenge for United's 5-0 Skrill South win at West Leigh Park in September.

On another day, Sutton would have at least taken the tie back to Hampshire for a replay, and when Craig Dundas halved Havant’s two-goal lead with seven minutes to go, there seemed a real prospect of a second goal following, but Havant held on to book their place in the first round.

The visitors had the afternoon’s outstanding performers at either end of the pitch, with goalkeeper Scott Bevan pulling off several fine saves to frustrate Sutton, while striker Sahr Kabba, proved a constant handful.

He won a penalty in the 15th minute, after Sutton had enjoyed the better of the opening stages and Bevan had made the first of his stops to tip away Damian Scannell’s close-range header from a James Folkes cross.

Kabba attacked United's defence on the right and was tripped by Jamie Stuart inside the penalty area, and although Stuart looked aghast, referee David Rock had no doubt, booking United's captain for the challenge.

Christian Nanetti slotted the penalty inside Tom Lovelock’s right hand post, the keeper diving the right way but unable to reach the ball.

The goal knocked United out of their stride as the visitors gained some measure of control, with Kabba and Nanetti both threatening, and Lovelock had to make a smart save at the near post when Nigel Atangana met a right wing corner with a glancing header.

Experienced striker Dennis Oli also missed two reasonable chances, but the second goal seemed set to come when Nanetti went over under another Stuart challenge and the referee again pointed to the spot.

Forward: Anthony Riviere looks to move Sutton United into Havant territory

Nanetti put his penalty in the same direction but this time saw his kick smack back off the post, and when the rebound fell to Steve Ramsey his shot rebounded off the same upright.

Sutton almost took immediate advantage of this let-off as a cross from the left found its way to Anthony Riviere, whose cross shot was blocked and when Damian Scannell prodded the ball goalwards, Bevan produced another superb reflex stop.

Havant suffered a blow early in the second half when Nanetti pulled up holding his hamstring, but in the following minutes it was still Lovelock who had to show his ability between the posts.

He went full length to push a Nic Ciardini shot round the post, and three minutes later Ramsey also brought the best out of United's keeper after running from midfield and exchanging passes with Oli, Lovelock just getting his fingers to the resulting low shot.

Where next: Ali Fuseini looks for a pass in the FA Trophy defeat on Saturday

Jamie Slabber had United's best chance of an equaliser when Dean McDonald cleverly allowed a pass from the back to run through, sending Slabber clear but he shot straight at Bevan.

A triple substitution saw United increase the pressure, and within three minutes of coming on Jamie Taylor ran on to a Dundas layoff and fired in a shot that Bevan did well to push over the bar.

But 10 minutes from time, Lovelock’s attempt to set up another attack went wrong as confusion between Stuart and Sam Rents allowed substitute Scott Jones to gain possession and cross low for Kabba to score.

Three minutes later, Dundas finally found a way past Bevan with a thumping shot from the edge of the penalty area that left the keeper standing.

Dundas could not repeat the feat when he met Simon Downer’s cross with a flying header that Bevan was down to save brilliantly.

The keeper slightly blotted his performance with a booking for time-wasting, one of five bookings Havant picked up during the game, but despite piling forward in the closing stages, which included five minutes of stoppage time, Sutton let themselves down in and around the penalty area.

None more so than when Scannell, presented with a free kick just outside a penalty area that contained all but two of his team-mates, sent the ball harmlessly high over the crossbar.

Charlie Clough headed wide from a corner, and the last kick of the game saw Downer blast a 20-yard shot similarly high over the bar.

Sutton: T Lovelock, J Folkes(sub S Downer 67), S Rents, J Stuart, C Clough, D McDonald(sub D Binns 67), A Riviere, C Dundas, J Slabber(sub J Taylor 67), D Scannell, A Fuseini.

Subs not used: P Telfer, W Shaw.

Goal-man: Craig Dundas got United back in the game, but it would not be enough

Wasteful: Damian Scannell's late free-kick did not trouble the Havant defence

United legend: Craig Dundas