Although they lost, Sutton United head coach Ian Baird could take a positive from the FA Trophy disappointment because Stuart Fleetwood finally scored.

The striker’s penalty, which he also won, was his first goal in anger for United in 31 appearances – his only other coming in a pre-season friendly at Jersey.

While those around him have found the back of the net, Fleetwood has found himself down the pecking order for a starting berth.

However, an injury to Craig McAllister has opened the door to more starts, and as the treatment room becomes increasingly busy, Baird is hoping he is back to his old self.

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He said: “By his own admission, Stuart has not been at his best, and invariably strikers who have not scored goals lose confidence – it is part and parcel of their DNA that makes them what they are.

“I thought he played very well against Bognor, possibly his best performance of the season, and maybe a little bit like the old Stuart Fleetwood.”

He added: “He is paid to score goals, but to take that penalty under the pressure from himself and the occasion was incredible and he took it well, but he knows he has to start scoring goals for us.”