Palmer's first strike for U's earns a point

Ryan Palmer's first goal of the season 17 minutes from the end salvaged a point for Sutton on Saturday, writes Tony Dolbear.

United failed to take full advantage of a promising situation which saw them a goal up after 10 minutes and a man up after Maidenhead had a player sent off after 25 minutes.

Defeat would have been harsh on Sutton. Tommy Dunn, making his first appearance of the season, was largely inactive.

Rob Haworth put United in front after eight minutes, climbing above his marker to meet Palmer's cross with a fine header.

The sending off occurred 15 minutes later when the Maidenhead goalkeeper came out to collect a diagonal ball from the right and collided with Matt Fowler, whose foot was dangerously high.

Centre back Jamie Jarvis reacted angrily by barging Matt Fowler to the ground and was shown the red card.

The 10 men equalised seven minutes before half time. Dunn failed to claim a right wing corner and Tim Cook headed in.

United could have been ahead at half time when a free kick from Lewis Gonsalves, the reserve team defender enjoying a sound senior debut, was flicked on by Eddie Akuamoah and Michael Mison. But with Barnard wrong footed, Chris Ferdinand cleared off the line.

Just two minutes after the restart United were behind. Ricky Ibe broke through on the right and pulled the ball across goal to give Lee Channell a simple finish.

Apart from that, Dunn had little to do in the United goal, while United's best effort in this spell was a dipping 25-yard shot from Paul Honey which went wide.

The equaliser came in the 72nd minute when Dave Timothy's deep free kick landed at Chris Boothe's feet beyond the far post and his chip back across goal was headed in by Palmer.

The introduction of substitute Matt Gray, back after a loan spell at Tooting, saw Sutton finish strongly.

And the teenage striker almost created a winner when his cross was cleared at full stretch with United players queueing up at the far post. Then Haworth burst through on the right but his poorly directed shot was gathered by Barnard.

November 30, 2001 11:30