Sutton Utd 3-3 Forest Green Rovers: Temi Babalola salvages point for The U’s

By Tony Dolbear

SUTTON UNITED 3

Njoku 72, Carter 79, Babalola 90+3

FOREST GREEN R 3

Clarke 10, Ewing 48, McAllister 73

A stirring second-half comeback saw Sutton United come from twice being two goals down to grab a point thanks to a stoppage-time header from former Forest Green striker Temi Babalola.

Savage admitted that Sass’s dismissal was pivotal, but had little sympathy for his defender. “He’s made a bad decision and the second yellow card was right,” he said.

“It was a fantastic game for the neutral but I’m not neutral, I’m the manager of Forest Green, and I’m very proud of my players.

I thought in the first half we were superb, and then had to battle with ten men for over 40 minutes.’’

Match action

Jayden Clarke gave Forest Green an early lead when he followed in to score after Spike Brits had dived at the feet of Sean Etaluku.

It took a goal-line clearance from Will Nightingale to prevent a second but Sutton finished the half strongly.

Joe Knight hitting a powerful 20-yard shot that was saved awkwardly by Ross.

Who was perhaps fortunate not to concede a penalty on appearing to make contact with Nightingale rather than the ball.

Sutton coach Ben Cornelius was shown a red card for his protests and Sutton’s mood wasn’t improved when Ewing dispossessed Nightingale to make it 2-0.

However Sass was dismissed, and Sutton looked to seize control.

Not to be, though, On 73 minutes, Clarke sent McAllister away to shoot low past Brits, but six minutes later

Carter had Sutton back in it with a superb volley from just outside the penalty area.

And the U’s pressure was rewarded when Ben Brookes crossed from the left for Babalola to head in at the far post.

FINAL SAY: Sutton’s Temi Babalola arrives at the back post to head home a late equaliser

PICTURE: Paul Laughlin

Second half

When substitute Oli Ewing scored within three minutes of his half-time arrival to put Rovers 3-1 up, it looked like Robbie Savage’s were on course for victory.

But the turning point came five minutes later when Freddie Sass, booked in the first half for getting involved in a situation that didn’t concern him.

Pulled back David Ogbonna and was sent off by referee Paul Johnson.

Sutton substitute Brandon Njoku pulled a goal back within a minute of coming on.

But Kyle McAllister restored Forest Green’s two-goal advantage with 17 minutes to play.

A stunning volley from Charlie Carter kept Sutton’s hopes alive before Babalola’s header rescued a point for the resilient hosts.

And it nearly got worse for Savage with keeper Ethan Ross forced to make a fine save at the death to stop U’s claiming all three points.

We were dominant

Sutton boss Chris Agutter said: “I’m looking at it as two points dropped because I thought after a slow start we were dominant against a good side.

We’re disappointed by the goals we conceded but there are lots of positives and the lads deserve great credit for their mentality.”

Teams, ratings and more

Star Man: Jayden Clarke (Forest Green)

Attendance: 2,139

Entertainment: ★★★★★

Referee: Paul Johnson

MATCH STATS

SUTTON V FOREST GREEN 9 SHOTS ON TARGET 5

4 SHOTS OFF TARGET 0

7 CORNERS 1

0 OFFSIDE 0

12 FOULS CONCEDED 10

2 YELLOW CARDS 4

0 RED CARDS 1

READ MORE: Robbie Savage stays tight-lipped over Peterborough United job rumours