ALDERSHOT TN 2, SUTTON UTD 1

IF this is the win that kick-starts their National League season, then Aldershot owe much to referee Carl Brook who, in the first half, showed a straight red card to Jamie Collins, Sutton United’s captain.

The dismissal for a challenge that could well have merited yellow on another day, transformed the game. Sutton, unbeaten going into the Bank Holiday match, lost their swagger without their most influential player, while the red card seemed to give Aldershot the green light to play with the attacking zest that is expected of a Gary Waddock team.

Good sides often take a dismissal in their stride. Sutton are strong and well-organised, but they were unable to dominate possession as they had done in the first half-hour, albeit without causing many problems for Jake Cole in the home goal.

Their aerial threat was clear from the start and the game might have taken a different course had Harry Beautyman, unmarked in front of goal, headed either side of Cole rather than straight at him.

After that escape, the Shots came more into the game. Skipper Scott Rendell’s harrying made a chance for Adam McDonnell whose angled shot was saved by Jamie Butler’s legs, while Jacob Berkeley-Agyepong had the beating of defenders for pace when given the room to run.

The U’s were still bossing the game, though, when, on 29 minutes, Collins was banished for a badly-timed tackle on Berkeley-Agyepong. Sutton were incensed and the fact that the Aldershot man was immediately on his feet to be clapped on the back by team-mates underlined the fact that it was hardly an X-rated foul.

Aldershot, to their credit, seized the initiative against ten men. Now it was the Shots seeing most of the ball and using the full width of the pitch to stretch their opponents.

Sutton’s defence remained watertight until the 45th minute when Aldershot made a timely breakthrough. McDonnell’s hot drive was deflected over and with the visitors failing to clear the resulting corner, McDonnell crossed the ball back in and Rendell, shrugging off the attentions of Dean Beckwith, stabbed home from close in.

Paul Doswell made a bold treble substitution at half-time, but the Sutton manager was unable to change the shape of the game and instead picked up a yellow card under the FA’s new rules for what can euphemistically be described as dissent.

Aldershot remained in the ascendancy and doubled their lead on 65 minutes. McDonnell and Berkeley-Agyepong, both outstanding, had already combined to almost produce a goal. McDonnell’s deft pass again released Berkeley-Agyepong and this time there was no mistake as the tall forward guided the ball into the far corner.

Ross Lafayette, once an Aldershot player, missed a sitter at the other end, but Sutton were thrown a lifeline when Mr Brook, after consulting his linesman, awarded a puzzling penalty – apparently for Luke Howell’s challenge on Aswad Thomas. Lafayette it was who scored from the spot.

However, Aldershot comfortably negotiated five minutes of injury time and closed out only their second win of the season.

• The Shots travel to high-riding Wrexham this Saturday. Next Wednesday, they host promoted Havant & Waterlooville.

Aldershot: Cole, Bernard, Lelan, Fowler, Kinsella, Wanadio (Fenelon 70), Howell, Booty (Gallagher 79), McDonnell, Berkeley-Agyepong, Rendell. Subs (not used): Oulah, Rowe, Holman. Booked: Bernard.

Sutton Utd: Butler, Clough, Beckwith, Davis, Thomas, Collins, Eastmond, Beautyman, Taylor (Cadogan 45), Wright (Lafayette 45), Drinan (Bolarinwa 45). Sub (not used): Brown. Booked: Clough, Eastmond. Sent off: Collins.

Referee: Carl Brook.

Attendance: 1,904 (258 away).