After a absence of 9 seasons Sutton were back at the highest level of Non-League football, but finding themselves competing against many full time professional sides the team struggled. U's open their Conference campaign at home to former league club Hereford United and held a slender 1-0 lead until the dying minutes of a somewhat rain soaked match before conceding the equaliser. In a season of few highs one match stands out, that of the FA Trophy tie against free spending high flyers Rushden & Diamonds. The 2 sides fought out 1-1 draw at GGL and most will have been forgiven in thinking that the U's chance had gone, but the side had other ideas in the midlands replay racing to a 3-0 lead and stunning the home crowd into silence. The match eventually finished 3-1 as Sutton withstood a late fight back from their hosts in surroundings better then many division one sides.