Sutton marched into the last sixteen of the Isthmian League Cup on Tuesday but only managed a draw against Bedford Town last weekend.

Two goals in the last seven minutes saw Sutton safely through to the next round with a 3-1 victory against Thame United, but the Us had to settle for a 2-2 draw at Bedford Town.

Having made it to the interval in the lead at Thame, Us found themselves under more pressure in the second period.

And once the home side levelled matters midway through the half, extra-time looked on the cards.

But with time fast running out, Mike Mison headed Sutton back in front in the 83rd minute and Rob Haworth's late goal sealed the victory.

Us started the tie brightly with Matt Gray testing the keeper inside the first minute, before Chris Boothe was also denied by Alan Foster after good work by Eddie Akuamoah.

But the home stopper was left helpless moments later when Dave Timothy played Gray into space, who steadied himself before rifling home a shot which flew in courtesy of a wicked defelection.

Gray was a constant threat in the first half and Justin Lee and James Soulsbury were both booked for fouling him.

Just before half-time, Mick Swaysland and Nando Perna threatened better things for the home side.

The visitors continued to push forward in the second half and Scott Corbett returning for the suspended Paul Honey saw his shot turned over following Jon Palmer's corner.

The equaliser came in the 63rd minute when Swaysland forced the ball in following a free-kick.

In the 10 minutes which followed, Thame were denied by the woodwork and Tommy Dunn was called into action to make two fine saves.

A booking for Corbett reflected United's slight discomfort but they reasserted themselves as extra-time beckoned.

After Boothe's shot was blocked, the visitors restored the lead when Mison headed in Timothy's outswinging corner.

Four minutes later Gray's cross caused chaos in the home defence and Haworth pounced to secure his side's passage into the next round.

With one eye on their cup game, Sutton failed to overcome Bedford Town in a game they should have won last Saturday.

Although Bedford were languishing below United in the table, Sutton twice had to come from behind to gain a point.

United did not make enough of the possession they had and gave away two poor goals the first after only three minutes when Steve Jackman rose unchallenged to head home form a corner.

Sutton were quickly level when Jon Palmer's low flag-kick was swept in by Boothe and Honey might have made it two when he thumped a 20-yard effort just wide.

But Bedford were a constant threat and Dunn had to be alert to keep the scores level.

Akuamoah had a snap shot effort for United but it was Bedford who finished the half on top.

With the break fast approaching, United's defence was caught square by Kevin Slinn who drilled the ball under the advancing Dunn.

Soon after the interval Mison's shot was cleared off the line and that was the closest United came to scoring for the majority of the half.

Despite having virtually all the possession, their final pass was disappointing and defeat looked a likely prospect until Matt Fowler's introduction.

Fowler battled well on the edge of the penalty area and Akuamoah equalised after Gray's shot was blocked.

Team v Thame: Dunn, R Palmer, Gonsalves, Mison, Corbett, Timothy, J Palmer (Fowler 85), Boothe, Gray, Haworth, Akuamoah.

Team v Bedford: Dunn, R Palmer, Gonsalves, Mison, Gray, Honey, J Palmer (Fowler 71), Boothe, Timothy, Haworth, Akuamoah.

December 14, 2001 15:30