Sutton fell to their third straight league defeat after a 2-0 loss at home to Scunthorpe United.
The U’s started the day in the playoff places thanks to their four wins from the opening six games, although they had lost the last two coming into this fixture. Scunthorpe had only managed one win so far and sat inside the relegation zone.
Both sides suffered defensive scares in the opening minutes. A Sutton free-kick was poorly dealt with by the visitors, but nobody in a yellow shirt could get a foot on the loose ball. At the other end, the U’s captain Will Nightingale was dispossessed on the edge of his own box, which allowed Scunthorpe a shot on target from close range.
For most of the first half, Sutton looked settled and managed to keep Scunthorpe at arm’s length. The U’s were putting the visitors under considerable pressure with the long throws of Dan Uppens and appeared the likeliest of the two sides to open the scoring.
But as the first half drew to a close, Scunthorpe scored. A Kyle Hurst volley from the edge of the box was enough to beat Spike Brits in the Sutton goal, much to the delight of the 202 travelling supporters. The U’s came within inches of a leveller just before the break when a deflected cross was tipped over the bar, but ultimately went into halftime down 1-0.
Another great chance at an equaliser went amiss for Sutton ten minutes into the second half. Debutant Joe Knight played a perfectly weighted through ball in behind the Scunthorpe defence. Brandon Njoku got to it just before the goalkeeper, but his effort was well saved.
With twenty minutes to go, Sutton found themselves two goals down. The U’s defenders failed to deal with a Scunthorpe cross, falling to Sellars-Flemming. He calmly curled it past Brits and into the bottom corner to double the visitors’ lead.
Despite their attacking substitutions, Sutton were unable to get back into the game once Scunthorpe got their second. The visitors came close to a third on multiple occasions.
After a perfect start to their season with maximum points from four games, it is now three losses on the bounce for Chris Agutter’s side. The absence of any goals in that period will be as much a concern as their defensive fragility. A home tie against Eastleigh on Tuesday 15th September will provide the U’s with an opportunity for a quick response to today’s defeat.
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