HAVANT & WATERLOOVILLE 2 SUTTON UTD 2

Just when it seemed as though a largely encouraging performance by Sutton against a strong Blue Square South side was not going to be rewarded, with Havant leading 2-0 with 20 minutes to go, goals from Steffan Payne and James Hawes gave United a share of whatever spoils there are in a pre-season friendly - and they will have left Westleigh Park pleased with their afternoon’s efforts.

After the appearance of a number of triallists in the first two games, Sutton's line-up this time contained only familiar names, with Hawes and Karin El-Salahi lining up for the first time, the latter in a first-half back three alongside Justyn Roberts and Jason Goodliffe, with Hawes and Matt Hann in the wing-back positions.

Before Hawes had had any chance to make an impression, though, it was a former team-mate of his at Braintree, Robbie Martin, who gave the home side the lead with just 47 seconds on the clock.

Mustafa Tiryaki headed on a long ball from the back and, with United's defence still perhaps getting used to their roles, Martin took advantage of a huge space through the middle to volley past Kevin Scriven, hardly the best start for the keeper against his former club.

With Havant’s line-up suggesting a challenge for honours in Blue Sqaure South this season, Sutton’s seemed set for a long afternoon but they recovered from the early setback and matched their opponents for much of the rest of the half.

Sonny Cobbs stung the hands of goalkeeper Aaron Howe, who was watched by his father and ex-Sutton manager Ernie Howe, with a powerful shot from 25 yards and, although at the other end Tiryaki put a header straight at Scriven and Manny Williams pulled a shot across goal, United finished the half promisingly, with Laurent Hamici having reasonable claims for a penalty turned down when he went tumbling under a challenge from behind.

Manager Paul Doswell made two changes at the break, Alan Bray and Billy Chattaway replacing Danny Phillips and Kenny Beaney as he went for a back four, El-Salahi moving to right back.

But they fell further behind 10 minutes in to the second half when a clearance from the defence came straight back at them and again found a big space in the middle of the defence, and Williams easily beat Scriven as the keeper came out.

El-Salahi then made way for Payne, with Hann moving to right-back and Bradley Woods-Garness to the right of midfield, although he was already limping and was soon replaced by Steve McKimm.

The comeback then began with 18 minutes left, with former Dulwich team-mates Hamici and Billy Chattaway combining to good effect.

Chattaway ended a strong run by putting Hamici through on the right of the penalty area and, having looked up, he placed a low cross to perfection for the promising Payne to slide in at the near post and poke the ball into the net.

Moments later, Cobbs produced a fine individual run that took him through the defence but, having done the hard part, he shot disappointingly wide.

Havant could have restored their two-goal advantage when Tiryaki’s shot deflected past Scriven but was hooked off the line by McKimm but, with the home side now making a number of substitutions, United took advantage of the disruption with a deserved equaliser.

Chattaway was again involved, pouncing on a wayward pass in midfield and putting Hawes through beyond the defence to roll the ball past replacement keeper Gareth Stewart.

Sutton finished the game on the attack as a Chattaway cross was headed away under pressure at the far post.

Sutton: K Scriven, K El-Salahi(sub S Payne 57), J Hawes, S Cobbs, J Goodliffe, J Roberts, M Hann, D Phillips(sub B Chattaway H-T), B Woods-Garness(sub S McKimm 69), K Beaney(sub A Bray H-T), L Hamici.

Goals: Payne(72), Hawes(86)

Havant: A Howe(sub G Stewart H-T), J Newton(sub C Robson 69), G MacDonald, S Walker, J Gasson, I Simpemba, R Martin(sub L Nightingale 63), P Hinshelwood(sub S Pearce 30), M Williams(sub G Norgate 77), M Tiryaki(sub G Lambu 84), W Fogden(sub R Woodford 80)

Goals: Martin(1), Williams(55).

Referee: D Gregory (Southampton)

Attendance: 316

After Wednesday’s game against Brentford, Sutton have another prestigious home friendly on Saturday (3pm), when they host a Crystal Palace XI, against whom United have enjoyed a number of good games in pre-season games in the past.

Admission is £10 for adults, £5 for senior citizens and £3 for juniors, with a £1 stand transfer charge.