HOT ROD SEES SUTTON SWEAT

MATT GRAY insists the National League title race will be full of twists and turns right to the end after his Sutton United side were denied a crucial point in a dramatic fi nale at Meadow Lane on Tuesday night.

- Jon Couch

Gray’s U’s twice came from behind to peg back ten-man hosts Notts County, only for Ruben Rodrigues’ 94th-minute penalty to earn all three points for the previously out-of-form Magpies.

Defeat left the long-term league leaders four points adrift of Torquay United at the top with a game in hand but an upbeat Gray has warned the top four to expect a rollercoaster ride right to the final game.

“It’s the first time for a long while where it hasn’t been in our hands but it’s not over, not by a long way,” boss Gray said.

“We’ve got five games to go, there’s plenty of football to play and they’ll be more twists and turns yet.

“With the attitude and the character of the lads we’ve got in that dressing room, then we’ll go right to the end.

“That was hard to take. I’m proud of the players, for their energy, desire, and organisation, I thought they were excellent. They were disappointing goals to concede but, overall, I can’t fault the players and I can’t ask any more of them.”

Winger Rodrigues cut a rejuvenated figure after a quiet spell and put play-off chasing County in front inside eight minutes, only for Isaac Olaofe to reply for the U’s.