Sutton United 2 Barrow AFC 2

Scott Quigley’s double was cancelled out as Barrow AFC let slip a two-goal lead in their televised clash at Sutton United.

Quigley, the top scorer in the National League, had seemingly put the Bluebirds in control at Gander Green Lane by taking his tally for his first season at Holker Street up to 20 goals.

However, Harry Beautyman’s strike with virtually the last kick of the first half proved to be a huge turning point in the game, as Sutton went on to have the better of the second half.

In the end, they deserved the point earned by Beautyman’s penalty, as AFC’s lead at the top of the National League was narrowed to five points, with the draw coupled with Harrogate’s comfortable win against Eastleigh.

Barrow made just one change from the team that narrowly defeated Dover Athletic on Tuesday night, with Jason Taylor coming into their midfielder for Lewis Hardcastle.

The Bluebirds carved out the first half-chance of the game after five minutes when John Rooney’s low cross from the right was poked wide at the near post by Dior Angus.

Some quick thinking by Rooney from a free kick then put Angus in behind but Sutton goalkeeper Nik Tzanev was able to keep out his shot from a narrow angle at his near post.

Soon after, Angus had the ball in the net from Rooney’s cut-back, but his celebrations were quickly cut short as the linesman had raised his flag for offside, but Barrow were starting to take control of proceedings.

They had a goal that did count in the 28th minute when a slick move led to Angus sliding the ball through for Quigley, who calmly rolled the ball past the advancing Tzanev to give the Bluebirds a deserved lead.

Isaac Olaofe, who was making his debut for the hosts, threatened that advantage when he burst away from Sam Hird, but Joel Dixon was out quickly to make a good block.

After that warning, AFC had their second when Josh Kay produced some lovely footwork before moving the ball left for Patrick Brough, whose brilliant low cross was turned in by Quigley at the back post.

However, Sutton had a route back into the game right on the stroke of half-time when their top scorer Beautyman turned well after receiving Ben Wyatt’s pass and slammed his shot past Dixon to give the contest a different feel.

The U’s came within a whisker of equalising four minutes into the second half when Will Randall’s low cross from the left ran all the way through for David Ajiboye, who shot against the post.

It was all the home side after the restart and they came close again when Ajiboye beat Dan Jones for pace down the right before his cross was headed over by Olaofe.

Barrow were able to whether the storm and Rooney came close to restoring their two-goal cushion – and his place as outright top scorer - when he bent a shot over after Kay’s cross had run his way.

Olaofe was making a great impression in his first game for Sutton on loan from Millwall and he earned his side a penalty when he got away from Brough before being brought down in the area by Taylor.

From the spot, Beautyman held his nerve by finding the bottom corner, despite Dixon going the right way, to level the match after 66 minutes.

The U’s were now looking for a winner and Omar Bugiel could have done more than shoot wastefully wide after he had been played through by Ajiboye, who was causing all kinds of problems.

If anything, Sutton were looking more likely to take all three points and they almost led with four minutes left when Louis John’s header into the ground from Randall’s corner was just about tipped on to the top of the bar by Dixon.

In the end, the Bluebirds were happy to take the draw, having really been put under the cosh in the second half.

Sutton United (4-4-2): Tzanev, Barden, Goodliffe, John, Wyatt, Ajiboye, Davis (Milsom 36), Beautyman, Randall, Bugiel (Dundas 78) Olaofe (Kealy 81).

Subs not used: Rowe, Reid.

Barrow AFC (3-4-1-2): Dixon, Hird, Platt, Jones, Kay (Brown 74), Taylor, White (Hardcastle 63), Brough, Rooney, Angus (Soule 77), Quigley.

Subs not used: Dyson, Harrison.

Referee: Sam Barrott

Attendance: 1,871

Bluebirds star man: Scott Quigley