Weston picked up a valuable point at home to Sutton United, Alec Fiddes netting in the second half.

WESTON-S-MARE 1

SUTTON UNITED 1

WESTON picked up a valuable Skrill South point against big-spending Sutton, thanks to a superb second-half performance.

The result lifts them to eighth spot in the table, only two places behind their Surrey visitors.

With Jamie Laird starting a two-match suspension, Jordan Walker was welcomed back to the defence where he gave a sterling performance alongside man of the match Dan Gregson on his home debut and Martin Slocombe.

Sutton started like an express train, forcing two corners in the opening minute as they went on to dominate the first half.

Keeper Lloyd Irish had to come off his line to block efforts by Craig Dundas, whose pace got him through the home defence as the visitors forced two more corners by the interval.

The near constant pressure paid off on 35 minutes when Jamie Slabber beat Irish from close range from Damian Scannell’s low cross.

Little was seen of the home attack, their only chances falling to Ashley Kington, who was off target with a free kick on 27 minutes, and a minute later Dayle Grubb tested visiting keeper Tom Lovelock.

Ten minutes into the second half, Weston made a double substitution, bringing on Tris Plummer and Alec Fiddes for Chas Hemmings and Jake Harris and the complexion of the game was changed.

Within a minute of coming on, Fiddes equalised from Naby Diallo’s cross in a scramble and Plummer, Kington and Grubb tested Lovelock several times as Weston forced four corners.

Near the end, Dundas again burst through for Sutton, but with only Irish to beat, Walker got back to make a superb tackle and clear the danger.

WESTON STATS

Goals: Weston, Fiddes (61). Sutton, Slabber (35).

Shots on target: Weston 4, Sutton 6.

Shots off target: Weston 4, Sutton 4.

Corners: Weston 4, Sutton 4.

Offsides: Weston 3, Sutton 4.

Free kicks conceded: Weston 17, Sutton 12.

Referee: Neil Radford (Worcester). Good game.

Cautions: Weston, Diallo. Sutton, Clough, Sinclair.

Attendance: 129.

Weston squad: Irish, Grubb, Slocombe, Kirk, Walker, Gregson, Diallo, Trowbridge, Hemmings (Plummer 55), Kington, Harris (Fiddes 55). Subs (not used): Knowles, McGregor.

WESTON defender Pete Monks has been released by the club and has joined Chippenham Town. All at the club wish him well for the future.

Goalkeeper Luke Purnell, who damaged a finger in a recent game at Farnborough, has undergone an operation this week and will be out of action until at least the beginning of the New Year.