Three points seemed to be there for the taking, such was Aldershot's dominance at Sutton on Tuesday night.

But everything changed in the space of four minutes, late in the second half.

First, Gary Abbott had a goal disallowed for offside and then, as the action switched to the other end, substitute Paul Whitmarsh snatched Sutton's equaliser.

"Very disappointed not to win," said manager George Borg. "We've been playing with more passion and work-rate, but should be taking more of our chances. We had seven great chances tonight and smothered Sutton. Then they go up the other end and score."

However, Borg said he was "chuffed" with the way Lee Protheroe has handled his new role in central midfield. "He looks a world beater in that position – like he's been playing there all his career."

Protheroe was undoubtedly the outstanding player on the park as Aldershot, fielding an unchanged side from Saturday, dominated 70 minutes of the game, creating chance after chance.

Gareth Howells was soon brought into action by Protheroe's 25-yard shot – and it was the first of several fine saves by the Sutton goalkeeper.

Stafford Browne and Grant Payne soon tested the 'keeper, but Sutton also had their moments. Rob Haworth should have done better in a one-on-one with Stuart Searle and top scorer Danny Bolt was just high with a rising drive.

For the most part, it was non-stop Aldershot pressure and there were further narrow misses by Mark Bentley and Payne as the visitors chased the elusive first goal.

With the wind in their favour after half-time, Aldershot looked particularly dominant and their reward came on 58 minutes.

An excellent move on the right unlocked Sutton's defence and Bentley worked the ball to Protheroe whose delightful right-foot shot curled into the corner of the net.

It seemed that Aldershot must add to their lead. Gary Abbott, again replacing the luckless Payne, saw his deflected shot graze the outside of a post and then Browne shot over from very close range after a Mark Graham corner.

Abbott's disallowed goal followed and that proved to be a turning-point in the game.

Sutton at last broke Aldershot's stranglehold, counter-attacked to good effect and Whitmarsh, who had only been on the field 10 minutes, latched on to a rebound and drilled a superb shot past Searle from 22 yards.

The sides were more evenly matched in the final 12 minutes, although Aldershot could have snatched victory in the dying seconds when Graham swung over a corner and Ollie Adedeji's header winged over the bar.

Aldershot: Searle, Kirby, Chewins, Coll, Adedeji, Protheroe, Graham (Hathaway 89 mins), Bentley, Browne, Payne (Abbott 54 mins), Holsgrove. Sub (not used) Gell.