Dartford ensured that the battle to finish top of National League Academy South will go in to the closing games of the season, coming out on top in an untidy and at times fractious game at a blustery Princes Park. The victory put the Kent side back to the top of the table, a point ahead of Sutton who have a game in hand. Dartford have a goal difference advantage of three and arguably a less testing run-in than U’s, with all four of their games against sides in the bottom six while U’s five opponents to come include Oxford City and Southend, currently third and fourth in the table respectively. Both still have a chance of finishing top, although both were beaten convincingly by U’s, twice in Southend’s case, earlier in the season.

With the wind making conditions difficult Dartford were the better side in the first half and went close to going in front when a well struck volley on the turn from Jeev Benning crashed back off the bar. The attack was kept alive, though, and when Kelechi Nkowocha tried to cut inside Callum Lee the ball struck the Sutton player’s hand as he slid in and Richie Atkins converted the penalty.

Klevis Muca made a good save at his near post from Dan Atta, while at the other end Noah Nzuzi saw his deflected shot clip off the top of the crossbar, but four minutes from half time an identical handling offence by Lee, again sliding in to challenge the lively Nkowocha, conceded a free kick and saw him booked, and Gurp Benning’s near post delivery was glanced in by Hugo Taylor.

In first half stoppage time home goalkeeper Sullivan Carter made a fine save to keep out an Adam Reeves header from a George Vorster corner, and it was from that route that U’s found a way back eight minutes in to the second half when Vorster, who had already seen one corner cleared at the near post, swung in another that drifted in on the wind and straight in to the net. Soon afterwards half time substitute Tolani Bello broke through but a heavy touch allowed Carter and a defender to clear the danger.

There was a lengthy stoppage midway through the second half when Carter was injured diving at Rashaad Drysdale’s feet and had to be stretchered off, being replaced in goal by outfield player Arisel Isufi, but Sutton failed to put sufficient pressure on the home defence and replacement keeper, and when an unmarked Kai Jeffrey headed in a corner at the far post with nine minutes left Dartford seemed to have made the points safe. Immediately from the kick off Drysdale was sent through on the right and brought down by the advancing Isufi, picking himself to score from the resulting penalty, but despite sixteen minutes of stoppage time U’s were unable to find a leveller and infact Klevis Muca was the busier keeper, saving well from Nkwocha and Fin Williams.

Sutton: K Muca, C Lee, L Ashburn, D Ashia(sub B Sheargold 90+11), A Reeves, T Salaam (sub O Bello H-T), R Drysdale, N Nzuzi, K McKenzie(sub J Obarotimi 90+6), R Ruiz, G Vorster. Subs n/u G Katana, B San Norton.

Sutton have a chance to go back to the top of the table on Monday and keep the situation in U’s own hands with the game in hand away to bottom of the table Boreham Wood (12.30pm) and U’s are then at the VBS next Wednesday against Welling, kick off 2pm. Before that it’s back to the EFL Youth Alliance on Saturday with a home game against Northampton, kick off 10.30am at Knaphill FC.

The Division F side lost 3-0 at home to runaway league leaders Chatham Town at Cheam Sports Club.