Bromley suffered their first defeat in six games as they were beaten by National League leaders Sutton Utd at Hayes Lane on Tuesday night, conceding a goal at the start of either half and never quite recovering from those early set backs.

Neil Smith was forced into one change for his starting line up with Kory Roberts replacing the injured Byron Webster, forming a new partnership at centre back with Chris Bush.The game got off to a frantic start with Sutton pressing from the off and after Isaac Olaofe had fired wide from a tight angle early on, the visitors took the lead on 7minutes when a poor clearance fell to Craig Eastmond and his shot from the edge of the box came back down off the bar and bounced in off the back of Bromley keeper Mark Cousins.

David Ajiboye had an effort well saved soon after and Olaofe hit the side netting as Sutton pressured The Ravens non stop for the first ten minutes, giving them no time on the ball and pressing high up the pitch.

Bromley finally settled after fifteen minutes of looking rattled and they started to play, Luke Coulson and Michael Cheek setting up Jack Bridge whose shot was saved by Sutton Keeper Dean Bouzanis’ feet at the near post.

The Ravens had a good spell with Frankie Raymond sending in a dangerous free kick that was headed to safety by former Bromley player Omat Bugeil and they were then denied what looked a certain penalty when Kenny Davis brought down Coulson in the box, but Referee Mr Brook waved the appeals away.

Late in the half with the game wide open Bush picked up a yellow card when he crudely ended Olaofe’s powerful run down the right to keep the game at 0-1. 

The second half saw Bromley attempt to start on the front foot, but within two minutes they were 2-0 down when Roberts brought down Olaofe in the box as he ran past him and conceded a penalty. Harry Beautyman smashed the spot kick into the top left hand corner giving Cousins no chance and doubling Sutton’s lead and seemingly putting the game beyond The Ravens.

Mat Gray’s side looked like league leaders, well drilled, hard working, organised, physical and quick. They got the ball forward early and always looked dangerous in attack.

After an hour Roberts was replaced at centre back by Joe Kizzi, the young defender not having his best game after a long spell out of the side. A slip by Bush allowed Ajoboye a good chance, but he shot from range just over the bar.

Bromley had another good shout for a penalty when Bridge went down in the area, but again they were foiled by the officials. Another former Bromley striker Tobu Sho-Silva came on and went close immediately when a poor ball from Cousins came to him, but the keeper then made up for it with a good save from the striker.

The game was put beyond all doubt on 70 minutes when a long ball over the top saw Olaofe race clear of the home defence, leaving them for dead and coolly slotting the ball past Cousins for 3-0.

Bromley responded with a good spell of pressure, Raymond went close from range before they made it 3-1 when Bridge latched on to another Raymond ball and with quick feet he created space in the box before shooting past Bouzanis with a superb curling effort that squeezed just inside the far post.

Bush fired a free kick over after a foul on Charlie Wakefield by Rob Milsom and Taylor Maloney also went close, but Bromley never really threatened to get back into things and Sutton finished the game strong with Kizzi making a great block to deny Ajiboye before the pacey midfielder then fired just over after another powerful run from midfield.

Neil Smith now has to pick his side up and prepare for their trip to Wrexham on Saturday hoping to maintain their place in the play off zone with thirteen National League games left to play.                                    

Bromley: Cousins, Kizzi, Raymond, Bush, Roberts (Wakefield 60), Bridge, Trotter, Maloney, Coulson, Cheek (Alabi 79), Duffus (Williamson 91).

Subs Not Used: Vincent, Purrington.

Sutton:  Bouzanis, Goodlife, John, Davis, Bugeil (Sho-Silva 66), Beautyman (Wyatt 74), Eastmond, Milsom, Olaofe, Ajiboye, Simpson. 

Subs Not Used: Nembhard, Browne, Wilson. 

HT 0-1 FT 1-3 

Goals: Bromley – Bridge 79mins. Sutton – Eastmond 7, Beautyman 47pen, Olaofe 70mins.

Ref: Mr Carl Brook