The Snipes had player-manager Jason Blunt sent off for the second time in a month, but they still put a dent in leaders Sheffield's championship aspirations.

The home side forced an early corner from which Robinson fired wildly over the bar.

But it was the Snipes, with Adam Lee making an impressive debut, who were streetching the Sheffield defence.

Phil Massingham fired wide when well placed, and James Dooley should have done better when the ball fell invitingly at his feet in the six yard box, but he failed to make good contact and the home side scrambled it clear.

Blunt and Lee combined to release Matt Fisher into the box, but his control let him down, and keeper Jamie Holmshaw was able to gather.

Sheffield replied with Chris Dolby's free kick flashing across the six-yard box and Ward unable to direct his header on target from Thorpe's corner.

However, it was still the Snipes who looked the more likely to break the deadlock, with Lee firing just over and no one able to make contact from Blunt's driven free kick, when any touch would surely have brought a goal.

Then on the stroke of half time Holmshaw had to be at his best to deny Alonso, after the youngster made space on the edge of the box and fired a hard, low shot which looked destined for the corner of the net.

Sheffield upped their tempo on the restart and they had the ball in Leigh Walker's net inside the first three minutes. But Wilkins had clearly handled as he forced the ball home in a scramble.

The Snipes were on the back foot for a spell, with Dolby allowed to deliver a number of dangerous free kicks, but the Sutton defence, with one of the best records in the league, held firm.

Lee relieved the pressure with a sharp break, but although he rounded Holmshaw, Davey got back to block his goalbound effort.

Then, with 20 minutes left, Blunt was dismissed following two yellow cards, which gave Sheffield a great opportunity to press on and go for three vital points towards their title push.

However, Suton's defence, superbly marshalled by James Whitehead, remained resolute and contained the home attack, with Walker rarely threatened.

Sheffield's best chance fell to Darryl Winter with less than 10 minutes to go, but Walker was equal to the effort.

Subs Jones and Mitchell combined as the home team became frustrated at their lack of success, and Mitchell twice brought saves out of Holmshaw.

Sheffield forced a corner deep into added time but Vill Powell's header drifted harmlessly wide.

SHEFFIELD: Holmshaw, Smith, Boulter, Davey, Marwsh, Winter, Thorpe, Robinson, Ward (Powell 76), Wilkins, Dolby. Subs not used: Jones, White.

SUTTON: Walker, Whitehead, Magee, Dooley, Ashford, Fisher, Blunt, Sutton, Lee (Simms 90), Massingham (Mitchell 70), Alonso (Jones 84).

REFEREE: D. R. Street.

ATTENDANCE: 264.

MAN OF THE MATCH: James Whitehead.

Last Tuesday the Snipes suffered a 1-0 home defeat by Pickering Town.

Mark Swales scored the only goal of the game for the Pikes in the 35th minute.