Sutton Common Rovers made it twelve games unbeaten, when the outlasted North Greenford Utd in a seven goal thriller on Saturday, writes Gary Brigden.
SCR started slowly allowing the hosts far too much time on the ball, but were defending solidly and there was little threat on goal.
It was against the run of play that SCR hit North Greenford with a two goal blast, that as it turned out, was to prove too big a margin to overturn.
Firstly, on ten minutes, tricky winger Matt Auletta drifted beyond three players, before firing low beyond keeper Alex Partridge for 1-0. Two minutes later and centre half Craig Hastings was allowed a free header at the back post for 2-0.
North Greenford hit back and on 19 minutes, Nathaniel Mensah volleyed home superbly to bring the scores back to 2-1. Any thoughts of any panic in the SCR ranks were quickly dispelled, when a quick counter attack on 25 minutes ended with Matt Ferdinando firing home from the edge of the area.
North Greenford gave themselves some hope late in the half when Brian Testolin somehow squeezed the ball home from a tight angle.
SCR went for broke in the second half and Ferdinando forced a spectacular save from Partridge from a free kick, Daryl Cooper-Smith then fired over when well placed, and Partridge pulled out another good save low to his right from Matt Farrell.
Just after the hour game the clinching goal, when man of the match Jeff Addo-Dankwa thundered home a header from a corner.
Still the hosts would not lie down, and with just over 20 minutes remaining, Testolin won and converted a penalty for 4-3.
Both sides have chances late on, with Testolin firing straight at Michael Eacott on 85 minutes, and Danny Fernandez bringing another good save out of Partridge in stoppage time.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article