After an even first-half ended level Sutton Athletic were able to step up a gear in the second 45 minutes and clinch the win that takes them into the top three in the table.

A much changed Phoenix Reserves started the game well and in the first ten minutes we saw both George Whitelock and Liam Murray go close with their efforts.

Sutton Athletic then had a chance themselves and Chris McGinty probably should have done better following some good work by James Sutherland.

But Phoenix were definitely in control early on and after Conor McCormack volleyed at the keeper a flowing team move resulted in Whitelock smashing his effort against the crossbar.

The game then went through a scrappy phase where tackles flew in and the referee lost control a bit. The linesman got too involved with those on the touchline and it was a ten minutes spell that is probably best forgotten.

Sutton then piled the pressure on and minutes after having a header cleared off the line McGinty shot wide when put through by Connor Evans.

In the 41st minute McGinty got one on target and this time it could not be stopped as his scrambled effort finally beat the Martin Grant in the Phoenix goal. 1-0

The lead didn't last long though as there was just enough time to go before the break for Phoenix to equalise. Kameron Mendez had been unusually quiet so far but soon woke up when Macey Malyon knocked a ball over the top. The Cayman Islands International left his defender for dust and knocked the ball past the onrushing goalkeeper to level the game. 1-1

Sutton raced out of the traps in the second half and in the opening stages Martin Grant was called into action on a number of occassions. He was able to keep the scores level until the hour mark when James Sutherland headed past him from a McGinty free-kick to give the hosts the lead once more. 2-1

Phoenix never gave up and made a few changes to try and find a way back in it. Dan Birch came in at right-back and Ritchie Sesay was always a danger from his attacking right sided position.

Midway through the second-half Oliver Andrews came close to scoring the goal of the season but his 35 yard scorcher crashed against the bar before going behind. Sesay and fellow subsitute Alfie Collins also saw chances go begging and this game was running away from the visitors.

With a few minutes left Sutton wrapped up the points with a Connor Evans goal that gave the hosts a 3-1 victory.

Another strong effort from the Phoenix Reserves against a side that will be challenging for the title this Season.

Next up is a home match against Erith & Belvedere on Tuesday.