By Dan Howell

After the disappointment of their defeat at Oldham on Saturday, the Glovers fought hard to secure a goalless draw against Sutton United. Sutton had won the previous three encounters against the Glovers, but this time the match ended in a stalemate.

Mark Cooper made a couple of changes to the side that lost in Greater Manchester over the weekend, with Ciaran McGuckin making his first start for the Glovers since joining on loan from Rotherham United.

The Glovers began the first half with attacking intent. Frank Nouble turned his marker, powering down the right wing before sending in a cross, but Sutton’s defence cleared the danger. Moments later, the Glovers registered their first shot. Charlie Cooper nodded the ball into Jordan Young’s path, who strode forward and unleashed a shot that trickled wide of the post.

The Glovers continued to create chances, and in the 18th minute, Ciaran McGuckin came close. Their high pressing caused problems for Sutton United, with Jordan Young winning possession deep in Sutton’s half. Young found Charlie Cooper, who crossed into the box for McGuckin, but the Rotherham loanee couldn’t quite connect.

On 21 minutes, Frank Nouble had Steve Arnold scrambling with a long-range effort. After some intricate passing around the penalty area, the ball fell to Nouble, whose curling shot narrowly missed the post.

Sutton had their first opportunity on 26 minutes when Lewis Simper took a free kick on the right. He aimed to curl it over the towering Ollie Wright, but the Glovers’ keeper tipped the ball over the bar.

The Glovers’ best chance of the half fell to Jordan Young in the 28th minute. He weaved his way into the penalty area, skipping past two defenders, before unleashing a powerful shot that was saved by Steve Arnold’s face.

Charlie Cooper picked up the game’s first booking for a heavy challenge in the centre circle, shortly followed by Sutton’s Will Davies, who was booked after a brief exchange with the referee.

Both sides had late chances in the first half. A pinpoint pass from Charlie Cooper found Aaron Jarvis, who drove forward before his shot was blocked. At the other end, Will Davies fired from distance in stoppage time, but his effort was well off target. During this period, Dom Bernard was also booked for stopping a Sutton counter-attack.

The second half began with Ollie Wright called into action almost immediately, as he had to claw away a looping cross from the left, colliding with the post and needing treatment.

In the 52nd minute, the Glovers had a strong penalty shout turned down. Jordan Young broke quickly down the right before finding Frank Nouble, who crossed to Ciaran McGuckin. His header appeared to be blocked by the arm of a Sutton defender, but the referee waved away the appeals.

Sutton began to gain momentum, with Charlie Waller and Josh Coley both testing Ollie Wright, who made crucial saves. Mark Cooper responded by introducing Sam Pearson for Ciaran McGuckin.

Sutton continued to push, with Will Davies sending a back-post header just wide. As they tried to stem the tide, Morgan Williams and Alex Whittle were both booked for fouls.

With under 15 minutes of normal time remaining, Matt Worthington replaced Aaron Jarvis as Mark Cooper looked to inject fresh legs into the tiring Sutton defence, as both teams searched for a winning goal.

In the final 10 minutes, Sutton bombarded the Glovers’ box with long balls and corners, with Chinwike Okoli coming closest with a header that narrowly missed the post.

As the match entered injury time, Alex Whittle was forced off with a shoulder injury after an awkward fall, replaced by Finn Cousin-Dawson. Jordan Young was also substituted, with Sonny Blu Lo-Everton coming on in the final moments as the Glovers sought a late breakthrough.

However, neither side could find the back of the net, and the match ended with both teams sharing the points in South London.