Despite a bright start to the first half and a second half onslaught Bromley fell to another defeat on Saturday afternoon, losing at home to Sutton United, whose keeper Nik Tzanev was in inspired form.

Manager Neil Smith made changes to the side with Jack Holland restored to the defence and given back the captaincy, while Chris Bush moved to left back and Josh Rees came in for Frankie Raymond in midfield.

The Ravens started brightly with Joe Kizzi crossing for Dave Winfield who headed over and Winfield went close again soon after heading a Bush free kick just wide.

Billy Bingham fired over from distance and Ben Williams missed a great chance when one on one with Tzanev, but the Sutton keeper made a good save low down to his left.

After a positive fifteen minutes for The Ravens, Sutton then broke up field and Mark Cousins made a superb stop at the feet of Isaac Olaofe. The visitors were soon in front though when a cross from Will Randall found Omar Bugiel who coolly slotted the ball home against his old club, from six yards out with the Bromley defence completely flat footed.

Michael Cheek had an effort well saved by Tzanev soon after, before the game drifted with the blustery wind causing problems for both sides. Late in the half Bromley rallied again, but after a series of long throws and corners, the visitors held out. Jack Holland’s volley going the closest, but Tzanev again saved well. 

After a quiet start to the second half, with the only talking point being Coach Alan Dunne getting sent off, Bromley picked up again.

Corey Whitely and Aaron Rowe combined to set up Rees, but he fired over when well placed. Luke Coulson had a volley saved by Tzanev and he then turned provider when crossing for Cheek, who curled an effort just wide. Coulson again broke free in the box soon after, but his goal bound shot was blocked by Coby Rowe.

Sutton defender Ben Goodliffe was lucky not to be sent off soon after when Adrian Clifton was too strong for him and he pulled the Bromley striker to the ground on the edge of the box when shaping to shoot. Referee Swallow saw fit only to show Goodliffe a yellow card and also booked Cheek for his justified protests.

On a rare Sutton break up field Craig Dundas was fouled on the edge of the box and Rob Milsom was narrowly off target with the resulting free kick, but that was all they offered.

Late on Bromley piled on the pressure, Rowe set up Raymond who then crossed for Cheek, but he put his chance wide and then in injury time Rowe combined with Coulson who crossed for Holland, but Tzanev did brilliantly to tip over his header, which looked to be dropping in just under the bar.                    

The defeat means Bromley only picked up one point in February and have only won four points this year as they slipped from title challengers to twelfth in the table. Neil Smith must now prepare his side for the tough trip to Harrogate Town next Saturday, hoping for better luck.     

Bromley: Cousins, Kizzi (Clifton 75), Bush, Holland, Winfield, Ress, Bingham (Raymond 64), Coulson, Whitely, Williamson (Rowe 54), Cheek

Subs Not Used: Huddart, Higgs.

Sutton: Tzanev, Borden, Goodliffe, Bugeil, Bewautyman, Rowe, Ajiboye (Brown 90), Randall, Wyatt, Milsom, Olaofe (Dundass 75)

Subs not Used: Bolarinwa, Kealy, Reid.   

Goal: Bugiel 16mins.

Referee: Elliott Swallow

Attendance: 1,909