Extraordinary finish as two goals in added time see Sutton salvage a point against Halifax

Max Bardell's header looked to have won it in the 94th minute of the game, but substitute David Ogbonna salvaged a point for the visitors as they went straight up the other end moments later.

This was a curious performance by Town, switching from encouraging to frustrating.

On the balance of play, a draw was probably right but in the circumstances, Town shouldn't have dropped two points.

After a slow start last time out at home against Hornchurch, it was the same story again for Town, with Sutton the more assured and purposeful side.

Charlie Carter had an early effort on target after good hold-up play by the mountainous Temi Babalola.

Town's two best players were centre-backs Max Bardell and Shaun Hobson, which told its own story.

Bardell had his hands full against Babalola, who Sutton used as their out-ball, getting players in and around him and causing Halifax problems.

The movement and combinations from Sutton's four most advanced players was far superior to that of Halifax's, with the Town defence having to work overtime to keep track.

Amari Morgan-Smith saw much less of the ball at the other end, with Halifax offering less of a threat.

The Shaymen came into the game more during the first 45, with Ben Tollitt's header saved from Crowe's cross at full stretch by Spike Brits.

True Grant produced a terrific save himself to keep out Babalola's close range effort, but then dropped the resulting corner.

That was typical of an unconvincing performance from the hosts, who produced some encouraging moments but also some frustrating ones, losing the ball too often through unforced errors.

Had Will Hugill taken a chance when Hobson headed a cross back into the danger zone just before half-time, it would have been unfair on the visitors.

Those unforced errors continued after the break, with The Shaymen looking more solid at the back and not found wanting in terms of effort, but too wasteful in possession and therefore struggling to create chances.

The second-half followed the same pattern as the first, with Halifax gradually taking control as it wore on, and growing in confidence.

Tollitt did superbly to set-up a chance for Tayt Trusty with around ten minutes left, but his shot was straight at the keeper.

By then, the tables had turned and it was Sutton looking lethargic and sloppy, and Halifax playing with purpose and greater intensity.

Grant kept out substitute Besart Topalloj's effort in the last minute of normal time before the astonishing drama in added time, when Bardell's header was helped in by a Sutton player before Ogbonna prodded in when a cross was headed into his path.

Halifax: Grant, Crowe (Warburton 46), Bardell, Hobson, Hill (Gill 54), C Johnson, Trusty, Douglas, Hugill (Gilsenan 73), Tollitt, Morgan-Smith. Subs not used: Johnson, Wainman, C Allen

Scorer: Bardell (90+4)

Attempts on target: 4

Attempts off target: 7

Corners: 1

Sutton: Brits, Urpens, Kirk, Nightingale, Brookes (Topalloj 49), Taylor, Carter, Knight (Bell 76), Osadebe, Njoku (Ogbonna 60), Babalola. Subs not used: Haigh, Byron, Francis, Amartey.

Scorer: Ogbonna (90+5)

Attempts on target: 5

Attempts off target: 6

Corners: 8

Referee: Declan Brown

Attendance: 1,344 (87 away)

Town man of the match: Shaun Hobson. Defended superbly all afternoon.