SHOR SCORES AS O'S GO SIXTH

The goal, created by a great through ball from David Stone, was all that spearated the two sides after an uninspiring clash where winning was always likely to be the more important than the performance. The result lifts Oldland up five places to sixth spot and leaves Sutton just outside the bottom three.

After Wednesday night's defeat to Calne, O's boss Dale Dempsey rang the changes in preparation for the match. Out went Luke Bryan and Tom Welling with Matt Curnock and Tom Morgan dropping to the bench. In came Ryan Dunn into midfield, Ashley Bernard at centre back with Sam Hippisley switching to right back and David Stone came into a midfield role. Up front, there was a debut for 19-year-old striker Luke Soule, signed last week from Bristol Manor Farm.

Oldland got off to the perfect start on seven minutes and the new boy was involved in the build up. Soule played the ball back to Stone who sent a glorious cross field ball to Gary Shorney wide left; he controlled the ball well before moving forward and slotting past visiting keeper Chris Manns.

Shorney's fourth goal in five games was nearly followed by his fifth from a similar position but his shot brushed the side netting. Man-of-the-match Lewis Parker was causing issues in the Bishops defence with his inswinging corners but he also came close with a left foot sliced shot that went wide.

The defence was pushing up reguarly and both Ali Bamford and Jordan Greenwood shot over from inside the box while Stone's turn and shot didn't trouble Manns unduly.

After the break, Shorney's free kick went narrowly wide but Sutton also had chances of their own. Keeper Craig Beavis parried a shot from Sam Downes but he had to watch as Brendan Abood's shot rolled onto the bottom of the post and away to safety.

Stone twice went close in a matter of seconds, following up his own shot at the near post but seeing his shot blocked. The chances coming and going were always likely to make the game a little nervy with only a goal in it; Parker hit a left foot shot from distance that whistled wide, Scott Robson's outside of the foot effort was also just wide and after sub Tom Morgan had come on, he so nearly set up Shorney for a decisive second goal but the midfielder side footed his effort on to the crossbar, Dunn hitting the rebound wide.

Late on, Robson and Abood tangled after challenging each other with ref Sam Gooding decideing yellow cards were sufficient punishment and seven minutes from time, Sutton almost grabbed an equaliser when Shorney's clearance was tipped onto the bar by Beavis and over for a corner.

O's travel to Corsham on Wednesday now still within the pack chasing of Malmesbury, Keynsham and Wellington, just five points off third spot.