Suicide Squad

Sutton United 2

Ryman Premier Division

There was yet more drama from the late, late show on Saturday afternoon at Meadow Park, as Wood fell behind in stoppage time before a last-gasp Junior Samuels equaliser saved a point.

All this on a day when Kingstonian lost their three-month unbeaten record in a shock home defeat by relegation strugglers Yeading.

Wood boss Bob Makin saw his side earlier throw away the lead, but did not view the situation as an opportunity lost.

"Beforehand, our match with Sutton would be seen as a very hard game, whereas Kingstonian should have been looking at another five or six goal win against Yeading.

"But we've had a result, and shut the gap by a point. The pressure's on us both to keep winning, but we're now a point nearer to them.

"We worked so hard to get into the lead and then just committed suicide, our season seems to be collapsing into a mixture of mistakes at our end and missed chances at the other."

The gusting wind and intermittent sun and showers were not ideal conditions for football, and neither side could make a serious impression in the first half.

Both McCarthy and Ireland suffered at the hands, or rather feet, of the abrasive Gartell, and Wood lost their former Blackburn winger as early as the 19th minute through injury.

"Ireland was the victim of the second tackle that went unpunished," said Makin.

"The challenge cracked his shin pad, although the referee saw nothing wrong."

Wood remained in control after the break, but still their final pass was unable to match the neat approach work.

Mark Brown and Bruce Sewell went close for the hosts, and Gartell received his inevitable booking before being substituted.

Sutton threatened briefly when Junior Haynes' shot was blocked, but Wood took a deserved lead on the hour through Rob Hollingdale, who sent a terrific shot into the top corner from the edge of the box after being set up by Terry Robbins. Martin Taylor had rarely been called into action, but it was his uncharacteristic error that led to the visitors drawing level only five minutes later.

A cross from the right was half taken by the Wood keeper, but he let the ball slip from his grasp under no pressure, and Steve Daly, possibly off balance, knocked the ball into his own net as he tried to clear.

"There was no Sutton player in the 18-yard box," moaned Makin. But worse was to come, as his team missed what he called an "unbelievable amount of chances".

Samuels saw a low shot blocked by Les Cleevely, who then foiled Shaun Marshall and Garry Nisbet stabbed wide from close range following Sewell's low cross.

Heffer also failed to hit the target as he blasted over from the edge, and Wood were nearly made to pay for their profligacy when Taylor saved well from Vansittart with three minutes to go.

That they did pay a minute into added time was down to their own carelessness.

Haynes dispossessed McCarthy, and fed Andy Salako in the right.

Wood were stretched, and his cross found the unmarked Vansittart to head Sutton in front off the far post.

Makin was furious and moaned: "Martin called Nesser (Nisbet) to cover the near post, but then left the man behind him."

With precious little time left, Wood dug deep and saved the match and their season with a 94th minute leveller.

Sewell's long throw into the box fell to Samuels who smashed home through a crowded area.

The officials added an extra 15 seconds before the final whistle.

Makin would not accept that tiredness had affected his team in this, their 61st game of the term.

"Tiredness comes after the game, you've got to have a freshness of mind. We need strong characters now for the run-in."

WOOD: Taylor, Daly, McCarthy, Robbins (Dixon 83mins), Nisbet, Hollingdale, Ireland (Sewell 19mins), Marshall, Heffer, Samuels, Brown. Sub (not used): Hatchett.

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