Conference South: Sutton 3 Hornchurch 1

Hornchurch’s hopes of Conference South survival are hanging by a thread after two late goals sent them to defeat at Gander Green Lane.

Urchins were left three points adrift of Tonbridge, who lost at Eastleigh, with only one game left to play against Hayes next weekend.

But Angels still have a game in hand, at home against Eastbourne on Tuesday, so Jimmy McFarlane’s men could be relegated in midweek.

Hornchurch travelled to south London on a high, following their Essex Senior Cup success over Grays.

And Lewis Smith, their two-goal hero at Victoria Road, had an early effort, before Sutton sent a good chance high and wide at the other end.

The hosts broke the deadlock on 36 minutes, when Harry Beautyman pounced on a loose ball spilled by Joe Woolley.

But Martin Tuohy went close just before the break, hooking over from a good position.

McFarlane sent Kieron St Aimie and Michael Spencer on for Billy Coyne and Tambeson Eyong before the hour mark.

And Spencer went close to an equaliser on 65 minutes before Tuohy made way for Wayne Gray midway through the second half.

The third Urchins substitute made his mark soon after, hooking home a long throw-in from Rickie Hayles to draw level.

But Sutton regained the lead five minutes from time through Marvin Williams and made sure of the points moments later as Rhys Murrell-Williamson netted their third to leave Urchins on the brink of a quick return to the Ryman Premier Division.

Hornchurch: Woolley, Coyne (St Aimie 56), Bentley, Noel, Hayles, Styles, Eyong (Spencer 58), Curley, Tuohy (Gray 67), Smith, Bourne.