Billericay Town will be glad to see the back of Ryman League Premier Division favourites Sutton United.

Having lost the home League match to the Surrey side 2-1 last August, the New Lodge side crashed 4-0 away in the League Cup in December.

On that second occasion both outfits fielded weakened line-ups, but last night's affair was far more serious stuff as Sutton maintained their championship dream - and hoped for place in the Nationwide Conference for next season - with a 4-1 success.

It was enough to take Sutton to the top of the table on goal difference, and with a game in hand, as previous top dogs Aylesbury suffered a 2-1 home defeat at the hands of Enfield.

The arrival of vastly experienced striker Steve Portway has ended Billericay's goal drought and the effort he netted last night was his fifth in four games in an 11-day spell.

However, Town, so confident in defence for much of their first sea- son back in the top flight in 12 years, have started to leak goals in alarming fashion at the other end of the pitch.

They've conceded 11 in four games and it's a problem manager John Kendall must address with some urgency if his side are to finish in a top six position.

Sutton were by no means brilliant on a bumpy surface last night, but took only 14 minutes to open their account through a deflected Nasim Akrour goal.

Portway struck with a 35th minute equaliser inspired by Steve Blaney, but the hosts were back in front two minutes later through Mark Watson's shot.

Concentration would appear to be a major problem for Billericay at the moment. In Saturday's home draw with St Albans they conceded a goal within 21 seconds of the start.

Here, only 16 seconds of the second-half had gone when they went 3-1 behind, though Watson again.

Top scorer David Adekola missed out on a great chance, but Sutton wrapped up the points 11 minutes from time when Keith Rowlands was un-marked to head home a fourth goal.

Only a fine Dave Root save from Akrour prevented heavier punishment in front of a 736 crowd.

Fans travelling to Billericay's game at Hendon on Saturday are reminded it has a 1pm kick-off to avoid England Euro qualifier at nearby Wembley.

Canvey's Division One promotion bid was boosted when the fourth and fifth placed clubs lost, Bognor going down 1-0 at lowly Leatherhead and Oxford being beaten 2-0 at Wealdstone.

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