SUTTON COMMON ROVERS 1, BADSHOT LEA 0

HAMILTON Antonio’s winner for Sutton Common Rovers left Badshot Lea, despite their improvement under manager Ben Dillon, struggling in the bottom three of the Combined Counties Premier League.

The Baggies, beaten only once in their previous five games, began brightly and, in the first minute, Jon Palmer’s shot was blocked by Dave Burton, the ball looping over the bar.

From the resulting corner, Gavin Muir seized on the loose ball, only to shoot high.

Midway through the half, the visitors should have taken the lead from the spot after a low cross was handled by Anson Cousins. Palmer’s hard-hit penalty was well parried by Leigh Bowden, going the right way, and Nehemiah Adams was in quickly to clear the loose ball.

Muir shot straight at Bowden in the first minute of the second half, but it was Sutton Common who made the vital breakthrough.

Richie Smith’s low cross was turned goalwards by Antonio, and although Josh Peckham blocked the first effort, Antonio followed up to blast home the rebound.

The Baggies pushed hard for an equaliser. From another corner, the ball dropped to Darren Blake whose close-range effort was saved superbly by Bowden.

Bowden again saved well from Palmer and Blake shot into the keeper’s arms after combining nicely with Muir.

Badshot Lea gave it everything, but Sutton clung onto their narrow lead.