Sutton Coldfield 1 Workington Reds 1: Most of the pre-match discussion centred on the controversial 3G playing surface at Coles Lane, which resulted in Sutton having to switch two of their previous home games.

Post-match, the debate concentrated on the bizarre goal Reds conceded.

I’m not sure if Aaran Taylor’s blunder, which led to Town’s equaliser, was related to the pitch or due to a moment’s loss of concentration but, either way, it nullified Workington’s bright start to the game.

Reds’ keeper had misjudged a throw-in from David Symington and his attempted clearance fell to the well-travelled Luke Rodgers, amid claims from Taylor that the ball had gone out of play for a corner.

Rodgers ignored Taylor’s forlorn appeals and passed the ball into the unattended net for the 25th-minute leveller.

“I felt we had done enough to win but another individual error has cost us”, said joint-boss David Hewson. “It’s definitely a case of two points dropped rather than one gained.”

Whilst the vastly experienced Rodgers led the Sutton line, Reds gave a league debut to Nathan Waterston and both can feel satisfied with their contribution.

Waterston did well in Reds’ purple patch early in the game and, although he tired later, suggested he has plenty to offer in terms of centre-forward play. He came close to scoring in the 14th minute when, after a neat exchange of passes with Conor Tinnion, his well struck shot narrowly cleared the bar.

Reds opened the scoring two minutes later with a well constructed goal. Josh Calvert sent Robbie Hebson clear on the right and the talented teenager got past his marker before supplying the perfect assist for Tom Kilifin. The latter cleverly turned the defender before applying a confident finish for his first league goal in Workington colours.

Calvert was cursing the Sutton keeper, James Wren, soon after when he kept out his thumping volley with a spectacular save and the home stopper then tipped over Kilifin’s back header with another acrobatic deflection.

Taylor wasn’t exactly idle in a fluctuating first half and, before his error, saved well to deny Danny O’Callaghan and then Rodgers.

As the half came to a close, Symington’s goal bound free-kick was deflected to safety at the expense of a corner, whilst the hard working Rob Wilson sent a 25-yard half-volley narrowly wide.

The game lost its ebb and flow in the second half, as both teams toiled in the humid conditions and a draw looked the most likely outcome long before the end.

Scott Lycett might have done better with his header, via Matthew Jackson’s corner early in the second half but chances were certainly fewer after the break.

Reds were getting some good service into the box but all too often there was no one bursting a gut to get on the end of some decent deliveries. Kilifin met one such assist but was stretching and his header drifted harmlessly wide.

Ashley Vincent had a decent shot which Taylor fumbled before gathering at the second attempt and, when play switched to the other end, Tinnion’s snap-shot was held by the flamboyant Wren.

Taylor also gathered routinely from a Rodgers attempt from distance and generally performed his duties well except, unfortunately, that momentary lapse in concentration during the first half.

A point on the road is always welcome and Reds certainly worked hard enough to warrant that, but a lack of quality in the final third is hampering progress at the moment.

Sutton Coldfield: Wren, Beresford, Jackson, Palmer (McNaught, 32), Lyng, Lycett, Ashmore, Dyer (Vincent, 38), Rodgers, O’Callaghan, Washbourne. Subs: Smith J (replaced McNaught, 70), Trainer, Sterling (not used).

Workington Reds: Taylor, Simpson, Symington, May, Douglas (Smith S, 13), Calvert, Hebson (McLuckie, 73), Wilson, Waterston (Allison, 70), Kilifin, Tinnion. Subs: Henderson, Jolly (not used).

Ref: Richard Eley, Derby