THIS top-of-the-table clash proved a real Christmas cracker for the 2,564 fans who flocked to the Recreation Ground on Boxing Day.

Desperate to bounce back after the significant defeat at St Albans City, Aldershot played bold, attacking football to carve out a two-goal lead in 24 minutes.

But Sutton underlined their own championship potential with a stirring fightback in the second half, scoring once and missing other good chances.

Even when Aldershot scored what seemed a killer goal with six minutes left, the visitors were not finished. They replied again on 90 minutes and almost equalised in the dying seconds.

It was that sort of game – lightning fast, despite the heavy surface, action-packed but skilful, and a fine advertisement for the Ryman League.

Roscoe D'Sane is apparently not keen on playing wide on the right, the new role given him by Terry Brown.

Yet D'Sane was an inspiration in the first half, scoring a superb solo goal after six minutes and then being instrumental in the disastrous own goal that would have finished a lesser team than Sutton.

"Roscoe has far too much talent for this league, but I want to keep him as long as I can," said manager Brown. "However, I know that, sooner or later, someone is going to come in for him."

Aldershot, playing an uncomplicated 4-4-2, were immediately into their rhythm and at first looked in a different class to Sutton who, employing five across the back, looked ponderous by comparison.

One of several sweeping movements earned Aldershot their early lead. Paul Buckle's telling pass found D'Sane running into space on the right and the flying number 10, having skipped past two tackles, unleashed a 25-yard shot that flew into the top left-hand corner.

Andy Pape, the former, able Aldershot 'keeper, had no chance with that one.

And although he looked secure after that, playing behind a disciplined Sutton defence, he was again picking the ball out of the net in the 24th minute.

Aldershot looked dangerous when they obeyed their manager's oft repeated dictum – "keep it short and pass the ball."

They did just that in one probing attack and D'Sane's final testing cross caused such panic that Danny Brooker, under no pressure at all, steered the ball neatly past his own 'keeper.

Cue derisive laughter and raucous cheers from the home fans, full of Christmas spirit, while the PA man rubbed it in by announcing the scorer's name in ringing tones.

Aldershot's first-half dominance could have brought them five goals by the break.

Lee Charles forced a sprawling save from Pape and then, in a furious scramble, D'Sane, Lee Charles and Matt Langston all had shots blocked in the goalmouth.

The impressive Walshe almost beat Pape at his near post with a low drive, while Sutton threatened just once in this half when ex-Shots striker Mark Watson, yards offside, got the ball in the net.

It was a very different story on the restart. Sutton now had the wind and driving rain at their backs, but the most telling factor in their improvement was Danny Bolt showing his true ability.

Often in the past, the much-travelled midfielder had been a thorn in Aldershot's side. Now Bolt was orchestrating Sutton's revival, switching effortlessly from wing to wing and always the hub of their set-piece strategy.

Soon, Nikki Bull was the busiest player on the field. After one vital punched clearance, the Aldershot 'keeper plucked Nick Bailey's header out of the air.

But Sutton got the goal they wanted in the 56th minute. Bolt hit another precise cross from the left and although Bull, with lightning reflexes, managed to knock up Matt Fowler's close-range header, the ball dropped down just under the crossbar.

The inevitable 'handbag' stuff followed as things began to hot up, but Mr G L Ward, excellent throughout, got it dead right when he booked Scott Corbett for his initial foul on Buckle and then showed Dean Hooper a yellow for his foolish intervention.

Aldershot realised they had to move up another gear to keep a fired-up Sutton in check.

Fowler, left unmarked for another superb Bolt delivery, should have equalised, but directed his header straight into Bull's arms.

That near miss really stung Aldershot into action and Lee Charles hit the bar in a goalmouth melee as the home side came back with a sustained spell of pressure.

Even so, with 11 minutes left, Brown sent on Jason Cousins as an extra defender and extra security as Aldershot tried to bank the points.

Five minutes later, Sutton lost possession at a corner-kick and Walshe set off on the barnstorming run that was to result in that crucial third goal. His final release was perfection and D'Sane, with still quite a bit to do, provided the perfect finish, sliding the ball past the advancing Pape and squeezing it inside the post.

Sutton were still not finished. Substitute Eddie Akuamoah's early ball caught Aldershot napping at the back and Fowler beat Bull from close-range, even though the 'keeper again got a touch on the ball.

That really brought the Sutton fans to life in a tense period of injury time and Bolt almost spoiled Aldershot's day with a last-gasp drive that was deflected for a corner.

Aldershot: Bull, Buckle, Nutter, Langston, Hooper (Cousins 79 mins), A Charles, Roddis, Walshe, Browne, D'Sane, L Charles (Gell 82 mins). Subs (not used) Howells (g/k), Moody, Holsgrove. Booked: Buckle, Hooper, A Charles.

Sutton: Pape, Gray, Hollands (Akuamoah 82 mins), Palmer, Brooker, Bailey, Bolt, Corbett, Fowler, Watson, Gonsalves. Subs (not used) Honey, Beale. Booked: Fowler, Corbett.

Referee: G L Ward.

Attendance: 2,564.