Aldershot Town and Sutton United shared the points with a 1-1 draw as Lewis Simper’s first-half opener for the visitors was cancelled out by Josh Barrett’s equaliser early into the second-half.
A bright start from the Shots saw them control possession of the ball in the opening couple of minutes and Ryan Jones’ ball in behind the Sutton defence had just too much on it to create the first chance of the game.
But Sutton gained control of the game after this and whilst not directly threatening Marcus Dewhurst in the Shots goal, were piling pressure onto the Aldershot defence with a number of corners throughout the next 20 minutes.
As the game reached the half-hour mark, Kai Corbett’s brilliant switch of play started a Shots attack and Josh Barrett’s cross to the back-post was dangerous but headed away from Jack Barham who was waiting to head it home.
Just a minute later, though, Sutton took the lead as Lewis Simper’s effort from the edge of the box was too powerful for Dewhurst and found the back of the net.
Sutton’s Siju Odelusi curled an effort over the Shots goal and Josh Barrett saw a free-kick from just outside the box hit the wall as the remainder of first-half was limited to half-chances and Aldershot entered the break a goal behind.
HALF-TIME
The Shots had a glorious opportunity to get back into the game just three minutes into the second-half as a ball over the top was not dealt with by the Sutton defence and Josh Barrett found himself in on goal but blasted it wide.
But Barrett made no mistake in the 56th minute as a brilliant finish drew Aldershot level but the goal was all about James Henry’s assist. Looking like he was shaping up to shoot from the edge of the box, Henry instead spotted Barrett’s run and superbly split the Sutton defence with a perfect through ball.
Aldershot certainly looked to be playing better in the second-half and Josh Barrett was involved in most of the chances coming the home side’s way.
Maxi Mullins headed a Josh Barrett free-kick from deep over the bar and Theo Widdrington saw a shot from close-range blocked almost on the line as they began to pressure with set-pieces.
There were big appeals for a penalty for the Shots in the 83rd minute as Dejan Tetek broke into the box and appeared to be tripped, but Referee James Durkin waved away the protests.
Jack Barham was unlucky not to find another late winner for the Shots in front of the East Bank as racing onto a a ball over the Sutton defence yet again, his low, powerful effort was well saved by Jack Sims.
Aldershot sustained their pressure into stoppage time as Jack Barham was hacked down breaking through down the left-wing and Maxi Mullins fired a shot over the bar from close-range but the game finished level in what was most probably a true tale of two halves.
Attendance: 2609 (331 Away)
Shots lineup: 28. Marcus Dewhurst, 6. Theo Widdrington, 9. Kai Corbett (39. Kwame Thomas, 68′), 10. Josh Barrett, 11. Ryan Jones, 17. Aaron Jones (C), 22. Jack Barham, 24. Maxwell Mullins, 27. James Henry (34. Dejan Tetek, 79′), 33. Luca Woodhouse, 36. Will Armitage.
Subs not used: 1. Jordi van Stappershoef, 12. Keane Anderson, 14. Ollie Bray, 23. Hady Ghandour, 37. Tariq Uwakwe.
Sutton lineup: 1. Jack Sims, 4. Tyler French (C), 5. Harry Ransom, 6. Siju Odelusi, 8. Lewis Simper, 17. Nana Boateng (9. Will Davies, 54′), 20. Jack Wadham (38. Henry Sandat, 84′), 22. Ryan Jackson, 24. Ashley Nadesan, 33. Besart Toppalaj, 39. Kain Adom (12. Eduino Vaz, 68′).
Subs not used: 31. Matt Kerbey, 7. Josh Coley, 15. Hayden Muller, 27. Vinnie Tume.
