ANY doubts about Billericay’s ability to make a late charge for the play-offs were dispelled as the New Lodge side ended the unbeaten home record of their Surrey hosts.

Although down in 11th spot, Town are now just six points off a Carshalton outfit filling the vital fifth place with a game in hand.

Now home successes over Harlow tomorrow and Tonbridge Angels next Saturday would certainly see the Blunts Wall Road boys well in the mix.

The only goal of an intriguing clash came on the half-hour. Central defender Lynval Duncan, who had already hit the bar with one header, was on hand to nod home Jamie Dormer’s chip after home keeper Paul Nicholls had failed to gather a left-wing corner.

Earlier Sutton had squandered chances with Tony Tucker turning a Steve West free-kick round the post after 11 minutes.

Tucker again did well to keep out Gavin McCallum’s header plus another West free-kick and then held on to a John Munday shot.

Despite having the lion’s share of the possession, Sutton were found it hard to break down a solid Billericay rearguard in which man-of-the-match Duncan and Tim Cole were particularly strong.

Grabbing the winner and playing such an important part was a major plus for Duncan who was sent off when Town crashed out of the FA Cup at Sutton earlier in the campaign.

Billericay came close to increasing their lead in a counter-attack when Bradley Woods-Garness was just wide from Steve Ferguson’s cross.

Sutton piled forward in the closing stages, but their fate was sealed when Craig Dundas fired a shot against the outside of the post with the last kick of the game to leave Billericay triumphant.

Town’s two home games in the coming week are likely to prove tricky.

Tomorrow’s visitors Harlow are making a determined bid to beat the drop and moved to 17th with a 4-1 win at Harrow Borough on Saturday.

And next Saturday’s visitors from Kent, Tonbridge Angels, cemented third spot above Sutton with a 1-0 derby success over struggling Margate.