In front of a crowd of 402, Dulwich led from the sixth minute when Rebecca May scored after a defensive mix-up, Gabby Howell clearing off the line but unable to prevent May scoring from the rebound. Darcy Wells hit a post for U’s in a rare attack, while Amy Jenkins made a fine double save at the other end, tipping one shot away and then pushing the follow up on to the post. Howell also cleared off the line again from a powerful header, but ten minutes before the break a cross from Chana Hinds dipped over Jenkins and in off the bar.

Second best in the first half, U’s enjoyed far more of the second period but couldn’t reduce the arrears as Wells and Olivia Watson drew good saves from the home goalkeeper and Cassie Brown hit the side netting, and late on Watson headed wide from Gemma Staple’s cross.

Sutton: A Jenkins, G Howell, K Poynton, F Colepio, E Williams, A Mirjan, C Brown, G Staple, O Watson, D Wells, M Button. Subs Z McNulty, S Brinkley, L Malcolm, A Gillett, A Harbison.