Sutton Common Rovers moved to within a point of second placed Bedfont Sports thanks to a hard fought 3-1 win over Guildford City on Saturday, writes Gary Brigden.

Rovers got off to a terrible start, as the visitors opened the scoring inside five minutes. Former SCR man Jordan Gallagher (one of six ex SCR men in the Guildford squad), whipped in tremendous cross, and Dan Stewart beat Michael Eacott with a powerful close range header.

The scores were level five minutes later when a hopeful ball into the area caused confusion in the Guildford backline and Craig Nelson was able to fire home from eight yards. Rovers almost went ahead straight away, when a vicious swirling effort by Matt Farrell beat keeper Luke Badiali but cannoned off the crossbar and was cleared before Jamil Okai could fire home.

SCR dominated much of the first half, without really forcing Badiali into too much action, whilst at the other end Eacott was relatively untroubled, although Stewart and Gallagher saw late efforts blocked.

Rovers continued to hold the upper hand in the second half, and were aided with ten minutes played when another former Rovers man Nemo Adams saw red for a poor challenge on Matt Tanton.

With the man advantage Rovers had everything in their favour, but Guildford dug in and defended resolutely, offering only occasional attacks through Gallagher and the speedy Nathaniel Williams.

Rovers continued to press and Gallagher hooked a Nelson drive off the line on 74 minutes, before Rovers took the lead on 77 minutes.

This time Nelson's cross was powerfully headed home by Asa Rixon, and with five minutes remaining, Rixon sealed the win firing home from 12 yards.

Rovers face a tricky trip to CB Hounslow United on Saturday.