Billericay Town travelled to Sutton United's Gander Green Lane on Saturday and emerged with a well-deserved point in a 2-2 draw.

The Surrey club have experienced something of a resurgence in form of late, and this match was always going to test Town's resolve on a hard pitch that limited the smooth passing which has been a feature of Billericay's play so far this season.

With four straight wins under their belts, United tore into their visitors, with Phil Wingfield almost connecting with a right-wing cross by Matt Gray.

As it was, Billericay stunned their hosts by taking the lead on 11 minutes as Jeff Woolsey expertly volleyed in a right-wing corner to the delight of the travelling numbers.

Sutton were back on level terms shortly after though, as Wingfield atoned for his earlier miss by heading in Dave Timothy's cross to make it 1-1.

The Sutton fightback was completed four minutes before the interval when Rob Howarth converted from the spot after Mike Mison had been felled in the box.

However, Billericay's battling resolve, so missing in recent weeks, came to the fore in the second period as Satcha Opinel poached an equaliser in a crowded penalty area. The draw keeps Billericay in 8th spot.

In Ryman League Division One, Bishops Stortford made hard work of overcoming strugglers Barking and East Ham United, eventually running out 3-1 winners.

The Blues took the lead when Vinne John's shot on 26 minutes rebounded off the post, for the unfortunate David Hunt to rebound the ball into his own net.

Undeterred, the London club equalised five minutes after the break as Ross Tobolewsky was afforded time and space to score.

Stortford got their act together in the final half an hour though, and claimed third spot in the division when John converted a penalty he had earned on the hour.

And the 19-goal striker wrapped up the points late on when put through on Barking keeper Robin Ruston. He slotted home confidently to confirm another three points for the Essex club.

Elsewhere, Harlow Town gained a point at lowly Whyteleafe. Martin Young's header on 28 minutes for Town was cancelled out late on by former Carshalton man Stuart Massey.

Published Monday January 14, 2002