Phoenix 1-4 Sutton Athletic

Phoenix fall to a fifth defat in six games on Bank Holiday Monday.

Chris Wood ©

Phoenix Sports suffered a 4-1 defeat against Sutton Athletic after a controversial second-half decision changed the course of the match at the Christopher Russell Stadium.

The visitors made a fast start, with Callum Keeble forcing Ryan McCourt into an early save before Luke Northwood fired wide from distance.

Sutton took the lead after six minutes when Ashdon Day latched onto a ball over the Phoenix defence and calmly rolled his finish beyond McCourt.

Phoenix responded positively, with Steve Townsend cutting inside and sending an effort towards goal before Khayrie Harris earned his side a penalty in the 17th minute. Sutton goalkeeper Jake Glassborrow dropped the ball at the winger’s feet before bringing him down, leaving the referee with little choice but to point to the spot.

Harry Barnes stepped forward and confidently fired his penalty high into the net to bring Phoenix level.

Harris continued to cause problems down the right and nearly created a second moments later, but he was unable to find Jamarie Brissett with his final pass.

Sutton remained dangerous, with Tom Mitcham threatening on a couple of occasions, although McCourt dealt with the danger.

Phoenix then went within inches of taking the lead on the half-hour mark when more excellent work from Harris created an opening for Tom Borders, who poked narrowly wide.

Keeble sent a powerful long-range effort just past the post at the other end before Damilola Olusesi produced an excellent piece of defending to hook the ball away at the back post shortly before half-time.

The sides went into the interval level, but the match turned in controversial circumstances two minutes after the restart.

Joe Denny slid in to meet a Sutton cross and McCourt appeared to prevent the ball from crossing the line. The assistant referee, who was some distance behind play, paused before eventually flagging to award the goal.

McCourt protested the decision and was subsequently sent to the sin bin, forcing Barnes to take over in goal and leaving Phoenix temporarily reduced to ten players.

Sutton took full advantage in the 54th minute as Day rolled the ball beyond the stand-in goalkeeper to score his second of the afternoon and give the visitors a 3-1 lead.

Phoenix should have reduced the deficit three minutes later, but Harris saw his effort cleared off the line.

Anduel Shquti replaced Borders on the hour before McCourt was allowed to return following his ten-minute absence, with Barnes moving back into midfield. Isaac Hadlow was later introduced in place of Townsend as Phoenix attempted to find a route back into the match.

Harris remained at the heart of Phoenix’s attacking play and sent another effort over from just outside the penalty area with 15 minutes remaining.

Twelve minutes of additional time were signalled and Phoenix committed players forward in search of a late comeback.

That left space at the other end, however, and Sutton added a fourth in the 98th minute to complete the scoring on a frustrating afternoon for Phoenix.