Sutton United manager Paul Doswell was philosophical after seeing his side throw away a two-goal lead in a 2-2 draw with Bishop’s Stortford.
Stortford right-back Ashley Miller poked in a stoppage-time equaliser after Sutton failed to deal with a long throw.
Miller had scored an equally scrappy goal from another throw-in just before a first half which Sutton completely dominated in possession and chances.
They led through Jessy Reindorf’s clean one-on-one finish and Glen Southam’s powerful penalty after Kane Haysman had been felled in the box.
Despite not taking the deserved three points, Doswell was encouraged by his team’s performance following the bitter disappointment of losing to Ryman League side Burgess Hill in the FA Cup a fortnight ago.
“The first half was the best 45 minutes we’ve had at home this season,” he said.
“I’m as happy after a game as I’ve been for a long time. You can see in that first 45 minutes we’re not far off where we want to be.
“Apart from their goals they didn’t have a shot on target, we just couldn’t defend long throws.
“We came second last year and we always get off to slow starts. I’ve no doubt by December we’ll be turning this around.”
Sutton drop one place to 11th in the Conference South ahead of next week’s clash with Hayes & Yeading.
In the Ryman Premier League, Met Police were stunned 2-0 by Lewes, who started the day bottom of the table.
Hampton & Richmond were thrashed 6-0 by Wealdstone in the second round of the Middlesex Senior Cup.
Hampton beat Wealdstone in last season’s final but it was a different story this time around, as they found themselves 5-0 down to the higher league opposition by the end of a miserable first half.
In the Ryman South, Tooting & Mitcham recorded an impressive 2-0 victory over fifth-placed Sittingbourne.
They were denied a third goal by Sittingbourne’s outfield player George Crimmen saving a penalty following keeper Adam Molloy’s red card.
Bottom-placed Walton Casuals won just their second game of the season away to Chipstead with two goals from Luke Medley giving them a 2-0 win.
Corinthian Casuals were comprehensively beaten 3-0 by Merstham, with Tommy Hutchings grabbing a hat-trick.
Walton & Hersham dragged themselves clear of the relegation zone with a narrow 1-0 win over Worthing, courtesy of a first-half Tarome Hemmings goal.
Raynes Park Vale ran out 4-0 winners over Frimley Green in the Combined Counties League, while Colliers Wood United lost 3-2 at home to Badshot Lea.
Carshalton Athletic’s Ryman South tie with Guernsey was postponed, while Ryman Premier League side Kingstonian host VCD Athletic on Monday night.
