After suffering back to back league defeats for the first time in almost exactly two years, Sutton will hope for better fortunes at the JobServe Community Stadium on Tuesday away to Colchester United, a game rearranged from early September and the two sides' game in hand over the rest of the division. Sutton will wear amber for this game.
When the sides last met, Colchester were playing at their old Layer Road ground and it was a game that few who were there will forget, as Sutton recorded a thrilling 4-3 victory in the FA Cup, racing in to a two goal lead, being pegged back to 2-2, then going 3-2 up with six minutes to go only for Colchester to equalise again. Ollie Morah's last minute goal tipped the tie decisively Sutton's way to earn a second round tie at Torquay, which was also won before an unlucky defeat at Notts County in the third round.
The sides have met in league competition in one season, Colchester relegated to the GM Vauxhall Conference, as the National League was then titled, for the 1990-91 season and doing a 1-0 double over Sutton, the game at Colchester seeing Tony Rains keep goal for virtually the whole game after injury to Nick Sullivan. Sutton did win 2-0, though, on the way to lifting the Bob Lord Trophy.
Since those days Colchester, also known as the U's, have moved to their new ground right by the A12, and for a while last season it looked as though they were flirting with a return to the National League before they ultimately finished six points clear of relegated Essex rivals Southend. They go in to Tuesday's game in 19th place, with one win in their last seven games, against Harrogate ten days ago which was their only home league win to date. They are also the division's lowest scorers with nine goals in their twelve games to date.
Despite the disappointments of the past week, U's would still move up to sixth place with a victory, and could also finish the night with a place in the knockout stages of the Papa John's Trophy confirmed should Crystal Palace fail to beat AFC Wimbledon at Plough Lane. Richie Bennett begins his three match suspension after his red card on Saturday, but Craig Eastmond and Kenny Davis have both trained and could come in to contention for the game, and Louis John's injury which forced him off on Saturday is not thought to be serious.
Manager Matt Gray is expecting a tough task on Tuesday, saying: ''Colchester have got some good, experienced players in their squad and we're not expecting anything other than a very tough game again - there are no easy games in this division.'' Matt also paid tribute to the U's supporters who travelled to Rochdale on Saturday. ''To have over 100 of our supporters there in such good voice was really appreciated by the players, and we hope to hear you all again at Colchester on Tuesday.''
Supporters who had a ticket for the original game in September should by now have received an email from Colchester should by now have received a declaration to accept which should have generated a new ticket for the game - the tickets issued for the original date in September are not now valid.
If you are unable to attend, you should decline the ticket offer sent to you and then email ticketing@colchesterunited.net to confirm that you require a refund.
If you have not got a ticket for the original date and want to go to the game, tickets are available on line through Colchester United's ticketing system here and can be bought through that system until half time on Tuesday. Ticket prices are £20 for adults, £15 for concessions (65+/Forces/NHS) and £11.50 for Under 18s, although on the day prices rise to £22, £17 and £13.50 respectively. Unlike for the original game, it is also possible to buy tickets at the ground on the night from the self service ticket machine in the club shop. Card payments only - indeed the whole ground at Colchester is cashless.
Colchester's ground is adjacent to the A12 and to access the stadium from the south, turn off at Junction 28, turning right at the first roundabout. Go across the bridge and then go straight over the second roundabout, before turning right into United Way from the third roundabout.
If travelling by train there is a frequent service from Liverpool Street to Colchester, taking between 45 minutes and an hour, and you should either get a taxi to the ground or buses 2, 8 or 65 will drop you within a ten minute walk of the ground. The last train back from Colchester is at 23.03.
The game will be live streamed in the UK through our iFollow service and you can buy a pass for £10 here. Single match audio passes are not available for this game, but should you not be in a position to watch the game but still want to listen, buy a monthly (£4.49) or seasonal(£45) audio pass which will entitle you to listen to this game and all others within the period of the pass.