Sutton United 0 St Albans City 0

Both sides were left still looking for their first goals of the season after Tuesday's rain-lashed Blue Square South game at Gander Green Lane.

At least both Sutton United and St Albans were at least able to claim their first point after opening day defeats on Saturday.

United did enough to deserve to win, particularly in the second half when they came close on several occasions.

A disappointing St Albans side only posed a threat following the introduction of Lee Clarke early in the second half.

Although there was some open football at times, there were few direct threats on goal in the first half after Warren McBean had sent an early shot wide after running on to a flick from Craig Watkins.

McBean battled through in to one good position but found himself unable to get a shot in, while Phil Wilson was only called in to action just before the break when he dived to smother a loose ball in a goalmouth scramble.

Craig Tanner forced goalkeeper Nicky Eyre in to a save at the other end, and in the second half United became the dominant team without being able to turn their approach play in to a goal.

McBean again broke through before seeing his cross scrambled away, and Tanner sent a shot just over.

United they might have had a penalty when McBean went over under a defender's challenge, but referee Adrian Gillett wasn't interested.

He did give McBean a foul moments later outside the box, but Nicky Greene's free kick was volleyed just wide by John Scarborough.

St Albans rarely looked like a side capable of regaining the Blue Square Premier place that they lost last season, but Clarke's arrival gave their attack more threat.

He wasn't far away with a header from Paul Bruce's cross after a poor Sutton clearance. Later on he hit an instinctive volley from 25 yards that flew just wide, but his contribution wasn't all positive as he was booked for a late challenge on Alan Bray.

Bray must be wondering what he has done to attract such tackles after his experience against Whyteleafe.

Clarke then engaged Greene in a dispute over the placing of the free kick.

It was still Sutton who looked likelier to break the deadlock as McBean shot low and wide after a pass from Asher Hudson had found him in space, and Watkins dragged a shot just wide after an incisive run and pass from Greene.

Manager Ian Hazel made two late changes in a bid to find a winner, and they so nearly paid off two minutes from time when Jason Henry was barged over just outside the penalty area.

Tanner's free kick was heading for the top corner until it was tipped over by Eyre.

Sutton United: P Wilson, A Hudson, A Bray, J Scarborough, D Charles, N Greene, R Montague(sub J Henry 83), P Honey, W McBean, C Watkins(sub T Martin 79), C Tanner. Subs n/u R Palmer, L Pestle, G Williams. Booked: Bray(20-foul).

St Albans: N Eyre, H Sulaiman, M McKie, M Beard, G Elphick(sub R Noel 37), H Deen, M Hann, R Marwa, J Anderson(sub M Harvey 79), H Mackie(sub L Clarke 60), P Bruce. Subs n/u G Burrell, J Waite. Booked: Bruce(40-dissent), McKie(55-dissent), Clarke(76-foul), Beard(79-dissent).

Referee: A Gillett (Aylesbury).

Attendance: 443