Sutton moved out of the relegation places in League Two for the first time since the end of August with a fourth consecutive league win, only the second time U’s have put together such a sequence since joining the EFL in 2021. Playing with the confidence of a team in form, U’s went in front inside ten minutes and should have had more than the one goal lead at the break, but second half goals from Josh Coley and Harry Smith settled any nerves and the injury time free kick from Paul Glatzel was nothing more than a considerable annoyance.

Sticking with the starting line up that had returned with all three points from Salford, U’s had an early scare when a left wing cross flashed across goal with no one there to turn the ball in, but for much of the rest of the half Sutton were in control, boosted by a goal after eight minutes when Smith’s pressure forced a poor clearance from goalkeeper Jack Bycroft, intercepted by Coley and returned via Harry Beautyman to Smith, who chipped in a cross from the right that was powered in by Charlie Lakin’s header.

Sutton were forced in to a change before a quarter of the game had been played, but the disappointment at seeing Ryan Jackson limp off was offset by the return of Ben Goodliffe, with Joe Kizzi reverting to right back, and it made little change to U’s first half domination. Lakin almost had a second with a superb volley that was well saved by Bycroft to his right, and the keeper also did well to block a Smith shot at close range, while Joe Kizzi and Nino Adom-Malaki shot too high from promising positions, leaving U’s only frustration at an impressive first half showing being the failure to score more than once.

Swindon made a change at half time, bringing on Harry McKirdy, but he had little chance to make an impact before U’s did have the deserved second goal, Bycroft again at fault as he fumbled Coley’s low cross from the right in to the net following a throw in from Kizzi. U’s remained on top, Lakin just failing to turn in another Coley cross and also trying to beat Bycroft from distance after another poor clearance, but the keeper recovering to save. Former Sutton striker Aaron Drinan had Swindon’s best effort, a well struck shot saved by Arnold, but Bycroft was still much the busier keeper and after blocking a Smith header at point blank range following a corner he was beaten again with twenty minutes to go, Smith this time heading in at the far post as Coley sent in another fine cross from the right and becoming the first Sutton player to score ten league goals in an EFL season.

Nino Adom-Malaki came close to extending the lead with a fierce shot from twenty yards that produced a fine save from Bycroft, who was having a mixed afternoon and made another good save from substitute Omari Patrick’s volley. It was a comfortable victory for Sutton and one of the best performances of the season, but the edge was slightly taken off it in stoppage time when after being fouled by Goodliffe, Glatzel sent his free kick between Arnold and his near post to give the over 600 travelling supporters a consolation goal to cheer.

Sutton: S Arnold, R Jackson (sub B Goodliffe 21), N Adom-Malaki(sub S Duke-McKenna 84), O Sowunmi, J Kizzi, S Hart, J Coley,(sub O Patrick 75) O Sanderson(sub C Clay 84), H Smith, H Beautyman(sub C N’Guessan 75), C Lakin. Subs n/u L John, M Kerbey. Booked: Sowunmi, Patrick.

Swindon: J Bycroft, C McCarthy, W Kokolo(sub J McGregor 74), T Brewitt, U Godwin-Malife, N Ofoborh(sub G McEachran 57), Z Elbouzedi(sub H McKirdy H-T), R Aguiar(sub J Cain 74), P Glatzel, C Austin, A Drinan. Subs n/u S McGurk, H Hunt, C Brann. Booked: Brewitt

Referee: Thomas Kirk

Attendance: 3,630(611 away)