Hinckley’s shaky spell continued as they twice had to come from behind to salvage a 2-2 draw against Sutton United that makes it two points from the last nine available.
A point apiece was about right as neither side did enough to win a disappointing game of few chances that rarely flowed, as below par Hinckley struggled to break down a well-organised Sutton defence.
One of the rare occasions they did get in behind the visitors came inside two minutes, Tom Weale’s nicely weighted pass sent Brady Middleton through on goal but he screwed his shot wide.
Moments later, Middleton was inches away from connecting with Lewis Rankin’s free kick before Sutton went on front on eleven minutes. Brandon Bache spilled a corner from the left and the loose ball fell kindly for Matt Bishop to drill home.
Hinckley’s response was uncharacteristically flat, their passing wasn’t as crisp as usual and it looked like they’d be trailing at the break, until Middleton levelled just before the interval. He had much to do as he received the ball in the inside left channel, but he did well to hold off his man as he made ground into the penalty area before applying a clinical finish.
The second half continued in much the same vein, and AFC made a double substitution on the hour to try and up the tempo, but shortly after Sutton regained their lead, Joe Gildea converting a penalty after a foul by Bache.
Hinckley levelled again five minutes later as Jack Edwards rose to head home Weale’s pin point free kick and the game appeared to be drifting towards a draw until both sides had a chance to nick it in time added on.
Sam Price found himself through on goal but shot tamely at Bache before, in the final play of the game, Danny Fraser broke and crossed for Joe Obi who, off balance, could only shoot at Reiss Wagstaff and the points were shared.
Hinckley: Brandon Bache, Matt Dawson, Tom Armitage (Adam Barber 86), Zaki Evans (Joe Obi 60), Ky Green (Sam Walton 60), Jamie Hood, Lewis Rankin, Tom Weale, Brady Middleton (Danny Fraser 78), Dec Somel, Jack Edwards. Sub not used: Jack Beasley
Goals: Brady Middleton (43), Jack Edwards (70)
Sutton: Reiss Wagstaff, Jonny Grigg, Will Jones, Lewis James (Tion Pearce-Copeland 64), Matt Bishop, Kye Billingham-Belle (Lewan Tobin 85), Sef Semlali (Ethan Hanks 83), Tom Massey, Keiron McConville (Shane Smith 74), Joe Gildea (Mark Moore 88), Sam Price.
Goals: Matt Bishop (11), Joe Gildea (65 pen)
Attendance: 221
