THE WRITING was on the wall before kick-off. The name of the sponsors of the game was clearly displayed: “Green waste-to go”.

Not only was it prophetic it was totally accurate. Rovers wasted so much of the ball and were dispatched from this important and much-loved competition. Waste was the key word.

Chances were missed, but much worse was our seemingly sloppy play in the final third of the field.

Crossing was poor, and unusually our dead-ball kicking was wretched. Strikers were subdued by a determined Sutton defence, and although we had more possession we were never in a dominant position.

A determined Sutton side did not allow us to threaten in dangerous areas. They played the sort of game that many sides are now employing against Forest Green Rovers – harry, hustle and break quickly in attack.

I used the phrase guerrilla warfare when four goals were scored by Dover. It was again valid for Saturday.

History shows that in conflict this approach can be very successful. The military might of superior powers can be brought down.

It is the same in football. To defeat such an approach in football you have to be constantly aware and be efficient. Rovers were not and paid the price.

Superior squad strength and superior individual skill count for nothing if basic mistakes occur.

Sutton knew they had to be disciplined, keep going and hope something turned up. It did twice!

First, an unnecessary free-kick was conceded by Rovers. Ross Steam knew exactly how to take advantage of the 3G plastic pitch, striking it hard and low, hoping for a quick, skiddy bounce.

He got exactly that, and hero Sam Russell was beaten for speed.

Much worse, however, was the second Sutton goal. The photograph in Sunday’s Non-League paper says it all. Scorer Deacon has so much space. Pin it on the dressing room, manager Mark.

The defeat poses two questions. Which is our best striker-pairing? I suggest Moore and Murphy, and would like to give them a reasonable run. The present chopping and changing is not helping.

Secondly, our midfield full of quality players who have served us well seem vulnerable to the bustling approach we are increasingly seeing from our opponents.

Perhaps Mo Chemlal or Rob Sinclair may offer something different.

These matters are small ones, however, and a sense of perspective is needed. We have a fine squad, an achieving team and are deservedly top of the league.

Our manager is both determined and focused. Fine players with plenty of potentially have been acquired this season. They are doing us proud. Every team needs an occasional boot in the backside.

Saturday at Sutton, the boot was applied when we were facing in the other direction. It could be a blessing in disguise if the appropriate lessons are learned.

Sutton United deserve the final word. Gander Green lane is a green oasis in the desert of Surrey suburbia and well-known for Cup heroics.

To walk out of the ground seeing players and supporters celebrating happily reminded me of what the FA Cup means.

We had lost but I felt uplifted. The magic lives on, for Sutton anyway!