It was ironic, if predictable, that after playing well for little reward throughout September, one of Sutton's scrappiest performances of the season saw them pick up maximum points on Saturday and move out of the bottom three at Thurrock's expense.

Two up after 15 minutes as on-loan striker Charlie Ide finally saw his luck change in front of goal, it seemed as though Us could be on the verge of handing out the comprehensive beating that a number of their followers had been predicting would happen sooner or later.

But, after conceding a goal 10 minutes later, they struggled to pick up the momentum again and on another day might have been punished with a Thurrock equaliser or worse.

With what benefit there was from the wind in the first half, Us produced a lively opening and Ide put his name on a Sutton scoresheet for the first time in the 11th minute.

Luke Naughton's long clearance was missed by Marc Ward, leaving Michael Johnson with a free run down the left, and when his shot was beaten away by goalkeeper Max Aneke, Ide fired the rebound past two covering defenders.

Four minutes later Johnson had helped Ide double his tally, this time chasing a miscued shot from Matt Gray and keeping it in on the left touchline, then cutting in past the defence before slipping a pass through to Ide, who turned and shot low in to the far corner with the aid of a slight deflection.

A minute later and Ide might have finished his first month's loan as Ross Gaynor started his, with a hat trick, but when Aneke failed to collect Peter Fear's long throw Ide appeared surprised to find the ball at his feet and failed to find enough power in his shot to beat Ward on the line.

Thurrock looked lively when they attacked, leading scorer Wesley Thomas showing some good early touches, and were back in the game when U's failed to clear a cross from the left and Hassan Nyang drilled a shot low past Naughton from the edge of the area.

Had Steve Harper not shot straight at Naughton when well placed, Us' advantage might have been wiped out immediately, but any hopes Thurrock had of building pressure evaporated in a 15 minute delay caused by an injury to referee Ashley Slaughter, although the availability of local Contributory League assistant Craig Hicks kept the hold-up shorter than can be the case in these circumstances.

When play resumed with senior assistant Colin Mallows in charge, Us had to scramble the ball away from their six-yard box after more good work by Thomas, but neither side could find any rhythm before the half-time whistle.

Us introduced Neil Lampton at the break in place of Peter Fear, and he was soon in action to clear the danger when Matt Lovell beat Naughton to a through ball and crossed, Lampton heading the ball away as Nyang hovered at the far post.

Moments later Nyang rattled the crossbar with a fine volley from Gary Howard's cross, and Thomas then headed over when well placed from a free-kick after Lewis Gonsalves had been booked for a foul, a rare blemish from Gonsalves, who was responsible for several important tackles and interceptions to keep Us ahead.

At the other end Matt Gray's low shot was safely gathered by the slightly eccentric Aneke, and U's could have had a penalty when Gaynor was shoved in the back, Mr Mallows awarding a free kick even though Gaynor, who had his back to goal, seemed to land on the 18-yard line suggesting that contact had been inside the box.

Gaynor's free-kick hit the wall, and he soon made way for Zak Graham, who again showed some promising touches.

Thurrock's last chance of an equaliser came when Ward headed over from a free kick, while Gray and Lampton both picked up late cautions, Gray in bizarre circumstances as he appeared to be caught late by Greg Heald and was allowed to receive treatment before being penalised for what Mr Mallows viewed as exaggerating the challenge.

Right on time Us found themselves able to launch a counter attack as a Thurrock free-kick was blocked, and Ide lifted the ball over the advancing Aneke from some 35 yards out, only to see it roll just the wrong side of the post.

Sutton: L Naughton, R Palmer, L Gonsalves, J Scarborough, P Fear(sub N Lampton H-T), E.Akuamoah, M Gray, P Honey, C Ide, R Gaynor(sub Z Graham 73), M Johnson(sub R Blackwell 66). Subs n/u S Clayton, M Maan. Goals: Ide(11,15). Booked: Gonsalves(58-foul), Gray(86-simulation), Lampton(90-time wasting).

Referee : A Slaughter(Brighton) sub C Mallows(Burgess Hill - 30). Attendance: 413 Sutton's reserves won 3-2 at Walton & Hersham on Saturday, all the goals coming in the first half.

Jason Henry put Us ahead from an early penalty, and after the home side had quickly equalised, Ryan Watts and Chris White gave Sutton a 3-1 lead that proved enough, although Walton pulled on back before half time.

With the first team having no game on Saturday, Us reserves will hope for a bigger crowd than usual when they entertain Burnham at Gander Green Lane, kick-off 3pm.

They are also at home next Tuesday, to Basingstoke, while the youth team visit Fisher Athletic, who are again playing at Beckenham Town FC, next Wednesday.