Eastleigh 1 Sutton United 2

On-loan striker Ross Montague scored twice to hand Sutton United their first Blue Square South victory of the season on Saturday.

Without a win in their previous five matches, Sutton looked in for a difficult afternoon on Saturday against a side with four wins to their credit - on a ground on which they had failed to collect a point, or even a goal, on their previous two visits.

But having done little to change that view in the first half hour they were gifted a goal out of nothing just before half time and by the final whistle had proved themselves well worth a morale boosting victory.

Two goals from the increasingly impressive Montague, and at the other end some fine goalkeeping from Phil Wilson, underpinned the success.

The second half saw a fine team performance determined not to allow the home side back in to the game.

After letting in an early goal in each of their two previous games, it was crucial that United didn't repeat that benevolence against a side carrying the confidence of three successive wins.

But after perhaps being responsible for Maidenhead's flying start on Monday, Wilson ensured that Eastleigh didn't have a similar flier with a superb tip over from Damian Scannell's crunching volley after three minutes. Not helping themselves with a tendency to concede possession early on, United struggled to get a foothold in the game, with Wilson having to come off his line quickly to dive at Chris Piper's feet, and Scannell and Ellis Green providing a threat on the flanks.

It took more than half an hour for Sutton to create their first opening, Craig Tanner firing just wide from 20 yards after a characteristic jinking run.

Five five minutes later they were ahead in bizarre circumstances.

Montague had enjoyed aerial success from long clearances, albeit with no team mate ever close enough to benefit, but looked to have no chance when another downfield punt by Wilson seemed to give Eastleigh easy possession.

However, Karim El-Salahi's attempt to see the ball back to keeper James Pullen lacked strength, and Montague was alert enough to see the chance to challenge Pullen, come away with the ball and walk it in to the net.

The goal, however soft, gave United a much-needed confidence boost and they were far more of an attacking force after the break, with Nicky Greene's early shot requiring a save from Pullen.

Even so, it took the save of the season so far to keep them ahead on the hour.

Scannell's cross landed on the head of Andy Forbes little more than six yards out, but Wilson left the striker standing in disbelief with a reflex save that tipped the ball over the bar.

Just how crucial the save was became clear eight minutes later as Paul Honey put Warren McBean in on the left.

He battled past Andy Harris to the by-line before crossing low for Montague to score at the far post.

United had to make changes, Lewis Gonsalves limping off and Malik Buari running out of steam after a promising debut.

But they looked increasingly assured and Asher Hudson found himself through on the right only to be denied as Pullen came outside his area and blocked the ball with his hand.

It was a tough call for referee Stephen Phipps, but with neither Hudson nor the ball going towards goal there was still some work for United to do to score.

His decision that the goalscoring opportunity wasn't quite obvious enough to merit a red card was probably just about right.

Eastleigh pressed forward looking for a way back, but Wilson reacted well to save a Piper shot that deflected heavily off Forbes.

Darius Charles, outstanding alongside John Scarborough following Gonsalves' departure, cleared from inside the six yard box when player-manager David Hughes who had brought himself on after an hour, capitalised on a quickly taken free kick and shot across goal.

When Eastleigh did pull one back it was tough on United.

Hudson off the pitch having received treatment and Ian Oliver exploiting the gap on the right of United's defence by collecting a deep cross and drilling a low shot that took a deflection on its way in.

But United weren't to be denied despite Mr Phipps finding over six minutes of stoppaqe time for them to survive.

Eastleigh: J Pullen, C Piper, L Byles, A Riviere(sub I Oliver 76), A Harris, K El-Salahi, D Smith, A Forbes, P Sales(sub J Bennett 69), E Green(sub D Hughes 60), D Scannell. Subs n/u P Cousins, W Shaw. Goal: Oliver(84). Booked: Scannell(51-persistent infringement), Pullen(71-handball outside penalty area), Byles(74-foul), Oliver(90-kicking the ball away).

Sutton: P Wilson, A Hudson(sub L Pestle 86), D Charles, J Scarborough, L Gonsalves(sub A Bray 69), P Honey, N Greene, M Buari(sub J Henry 74), W McBean, R Montague, C Tanner. Subs n/u L Wright, G Williams. Goals: Montague(36,68). Booked: Honey(26-persistent infringement), Charles(40-kicking the ball away), Gonsalves(64-foul).Referee: S Phipps(Abingdon)Attendance: 640