Persistence paid off for Sutton United as an injury time penalty from captain Jamie Collins earned the U's a 2-2 draw at Harrogate Town on Saturday.

Having faced an early morning departure to North Yorkshire, United showed few signs of fatigue on a blistering hot day and took the lead in the 39th minute through Charlie Clough’s close-range header.

The U’s were unfortunate not to increase their lead before the hosts hit back in the second half.

Former Lincoln City marksman Jack Muldoon pounced on a loose ball to level in the 60th minute before Kevin Langmead gave Town the lead with just four minutes remaining.

But United stuck to the task and got the chance to equalise in the 93rd minute following a handball by Joe Leesley.

Collins stepped up to earn the U’s a point which the Sutton boss felt his team deserved.

“If you had offered me an away point at seven o’clock when we left this morning, we would have taken it," manager Paul Doswell told SUFCtv.

“Our best period of the game came just after we scored. We had a very good 15 or 20 minutes and could have made it 2-0 at that stage.

"It is very hot again here today. That train journey and that coach journey - leaving at seven o’clock for a lot of us - I thought that showed in periods of the game.

“But we are content with a draw that's for sure. I thought it was a fair result."

United host Eastleigh at the Knights Community Stadium on Tuesday (August 7) at 7.45pm with free admission for under 16s.

The Hampshire side suffered a 2-1 home defeat to Solihull Moors in their first game at the weekend and, with a busy league schedule this month, Doswell knows he will have to use the full depth of his squad.

"There's seven games this month, which is why we've looked at getting Wayne Brown in," said the Sutton boss.

"He's going to be a top, top player for us. Then you've got Kieron Cadogan, Kenny Davis and Dean Beckwith - that's why, at this level, you need a minumum of 19 or 20 players.

"I'm pleased with where we're at with the squad. I think it's going to be used over this month, that's for sure."

Sutton United v Eastleigh, Tuesday, August 7, 7.45pm. For more details about the FREE ENTRY for under 16s and other ticket details visit suttonunited.net.