Sutton United 2 AFC Hornchurch 1

Their success came at the expense of a Hornchurch side whose approach to the game from the start reflected the fact that a draw would be enough for them to qualify.

They contributed massively to their own downfall when midfielder Frankie Curley inexplicably handled an Alan Bray corner 16 minutes from time.

It gave Steve Watts, who had been on the pitch less than five minutes, the chance for the second time this month to convert a winning penalty, one he took again with the utmost confidence.

It was a deserved win for United, though, who had been the more positive side from the outset.

It provided the afternoon’s outstanding moment through the superb goal with which Danny Phillips opened his Sutton account and gave United the interval lead.

It was hard going, though, with Hornchurch’s approach from the start clearly designed to gain the point they need and take the sting out of any bright start that United wanted to make.

It worked well, as apart from a Gavin McCallum header early on that was easily saved by Darren Behcet, United struggled to make much impact on the visitors’ defence in the first half hour.

Indeed, it was Hornchurch who came closest to a goal in the 25th minute when Simon Parker broke down the right and chipped to the far post.

Andy Tomlinson’s shot beat Paul Nicholls but was cleared from inside the six-yard box by Tim Bond, who produced another imposing performance at the back.

Bond ensured that injured skipper Chris Collins wasn’t missed half as much as Hornchurch striker Kris Lee, a regular scorer against Sutton over the years but watching this game on crutches after being injured in the previous week’s win over Horsham.

As the half wore on, Sutton’s positive attitude began to gain the ascendancy, and McCallum cut in from the right before firing in a low shot well saved by Behcet.

Two minutes later they thrillingly went in front as Phillips ran from just inside the Hornchurch half before playing a delightful one-two with Laurent Hamici via a neat backheel from the striker, sidestepping another defender and placing his shot low to Behcet’s right and just inside the post.

It was a massive boost, and at half time with Carshalton drawing at Hendon United were looking at finishing fourth and a trip to Tonbridge Angels in the play-offs. But, within five minutes of the second half, starting the situation had changed completely and U’s were again facing the prospect of missing out.

As Richard Jolly and Charlie Ide were putting Carshalton Athletic in charge of their game at Hendon, Tomlinson lifted a cross in to the Sutton penalty area. Nicholls came racing off his line to claim it but was outjumped by Curley, whose header bounced in to the unguarded net.

Briefly the game reverted to its earlier type, but the introduction of Chukki Eribenne and then Steve Watts reinforced Sutton's attacking options and it soon became clear that the remainder of the game would be played mainly in the Hornchurch half.

For all the intentions, though, United were struggling to create clear cut chances apart from one Phillips cross that just evaded the stretching Eribenne.

Then, with just over a quarter of an hour to go, a crowd of players climbed at the far post to contest an Alan Bray corner from the left and Curley’s arm went up to tip the ball off Bond’s head.

Referee David Buck was well placed to see the incident and award the penalty.

Watts immediately claimed the ball but had to wait while Behcet, who had made a crucial penalty save on the ground in December against Harlow during his brief spell with Sutton, went for a walk behind his goal, had a drink and then spoke to Mr Buck.

Watts was coolness personified, though, and planted the spot kick low in to the bottom corner of the net, the accuracy crucial as Behcet guessed correctly and would probably have kept out a less precise effort.

Two minutes later Behcet made a superb save to keep out a well struck shot from McCallum, and the scene was set for a tense last ten minutes.

Predictably there were flurries around the Sutton penalty area, with Dean Green miscuing a shot high over the top after a free kick had been cleared to the edge of the penalty area, and Dean Palmer blocking a stinging effort from the edge of the penalty area that might have tested Nicholls.

But United defended their lead solidly and the closest to another goal came at the other end, when a Hornchurch clearance rebounded off a team mate and fell for Palmer six yards out, but he couldn’t keep his shot down.

Hornchurch’s frustration at Sutton now trying to slow down the game could have seen Curley sent off for his challenge on McCallum as United's striker held the ball by the corner flag, but Mr Buck opted against rubbing salt in his wounds and showed yellow.

The referee soon blew the final whistle to leave Sutton supporters celebrating with the team on the pitch as the aim of the playoffs was achieved, and looking forward to Tuesday’s semi final at Staines.

Sutton: P Nicholls, T Bond, A Bray, D Hughes (sub S Watts 70), D Philips(sub S McKimm 76) ,K El-Salahi, M Hann, L Hamici(sub C Eribenne 55), C Dundas, D Palmer, G McCallum. Subs n/u B Chattaway, B Graham. Goals: Phillips(39), Watts(74 pen).

Hornchurch: D Behcet, M Goodfellow, B Coyne, J Purdie (sub D Barnard 13), J McFarlane, A Tomlinson, F Curley, M Janney(sub R Wall 74) D Green, S Parker(sub M Spencer 74), E Styles. Subs n/u M Abraham, J Willis. Goal: Curley(48). Booked: Barnard(23-foul), Curley(90-foul).

Referee: D Buck (Istead Rise)

Attendance: 832