The Fleet exited the Isuzu FA Trophy despite fighting back from a goal down to enjoy a two-goal advantage going into the final 15 minutes. A late Sutton show hauled them level and they booked a spot in the next round on penalties.

Magnus Norman made his debut in goal for the Fleet after arriving from Oldham Athletic on loan while another new signing Callum Harriott was on the bench. Academy prospect Maxx Manktelow meanwhile made his first start outside the Kent Senior Cup.

A slow tempo marked the first half with the Fleet on the front foot when given the chance to get a passing game going in the early stages. Toby Edser won and stepped up to take a early free-kick which was off target. Todd Kane also got into the box to get a shot away but that was a comfortable one for Jack Sims.

Skipper on the day Anthony Stewart had to clear twice as Sutton began to step up their efforts beyond the quarter-hour point and Josh Coley and Sivi tested Norman for the frst time but the new Fleet keeper had those covered.

Pape Souaré got away down the right to swing a cross into and along the box but it ran away from Rakish Bingham and Tyler Cordner bearing down on goal while Manktelow was also involved in getting a shot away inside the box but that one was blocked in a game that otherwise had few chances.

Sutton broke the deadlock minutes before half-time but it was from a Fleet attack sparked by Aaron Cosgrave that broke up before Bingham could take down the pass. Play switched quickly to the Fleet half and Nana Boateng received from Jeremy Sivi to go one on one with Norman and fire the ball over him and over the line.

Cosgrave came close to snatching an equaliser moments later with a run through and attempted lob over Sims but the Sutton goalkeeper stretched high to make an excellent save to keep the Fleet at bay.

Harriott was introduced for Manktelow for the second-half and the new signing’s first touch led to a goal on 48 minutes. Getting away down the Fleet left, Harriott’s darting run and cross picked out Kane on the edge of the box and he connected well to rifle an effort past Sims to put his side firmly back in the game.

That strong start was followed up on 54 minutes as the Fleet found themselves in front. This time, Aaron Cosgrave got on the end of a Toby Edser ball through the middle and drilled a precise low shot that just beat Sims low by his near post.

Fleet fans were living it up when a third goal arrived courtesy of the all-action Harriott. It was a calm and composed finish from the winger as he kept possession once Franklin Domi had released him to drive towards goal and finish past the despairing Sims.

Sutton were in shock but it kick-started a revival with the final 17 minutes approaching. A close-range header from Boateng was marginally wide before substitute Finley Barbrook snatched a goal back, volleying in a half-cleared header.

Norman made a couple of important interventions before the hosts were awarded a late penalty when Franklin Domi was harshly penalised for getting a foot in front of Eduino Vaz and Siju Odelusi stepped up to convert.

Harriott tried his luck from range in response while Sims just beat Cosgrave to another ball into the area while his opposite number Norman pulled off a remarkable double save in added time to deny the hosts a late victory while the crossbar denied Barbrook.

But their victory came in the penalty shootout despite Bingham making no mistake with the first spot kick. Misses from Harriott who hit the crossbar and Edser put the hosts in the driving seat and although Kane scored a second for the Fleet, Boateng’s final kick made it four out of four converted for Sutton and they went through.

EUFC: Norman, Stewart, John, Cordner, Souaré (Dallison 69), Kane, Edser, Domi, Manktelow (Harriott 46), Cosgrave, Bingham. Subs not used: Wright, Tanga, Firth
SUFC: Sims, Ransom, Okoli, Waller, Jackson, Odelusi, Simper (Barbrook 46), Sivi (Topallaj 90), Boateng, Vaz (Wadham 90), Davies (Coley 27). Subs not used: Roberts, French, Muller.
Attendance: 955 (70 EUFC)

Images courtesy of Ebbsfleet United/Ed Miller