Sutton Common Rovers staged a remarkable recovery on Saturday to come from 2-0 down with just on ten minutes remaining to beat Balham 3-2.

Rovers started the match brightly, keeping possession and moving the ball around with some purpose, but for all this they were unable to trouble Balham keeper Haydn Read. As their bright start faded, Balham came back into and started to dominate the match.

Rovers skipper Craig Hastings found his way into the book midway through the half, after he fouled Robinson, and was possibly fortunate to survive when he lunged at Khalid Savage, just making enough contact with the ball.

Twice the visitors should have taken the lead as dangerous low crosses found Carpene but he was unable to open the scoring, and on 25 minutes Ollie Ellaway was out superbly to save when left one on one with Jack Robinson. However on the half hour they did take the lead. Rovers lost possession in the middle of the park and the ball found Robinson and he calmly slotted beyond Ellaway to give the visitors the lead.

A minute later and it was 2-0, Read gathered a dangerous ball into the area, and launched a long clearance forward, Rovers skipper Craig Hastings misjudged the ball and Robinson was free to lob the on-rushing Ellaway.

Balham were completely dominant, and Rovers skipper Aaron Bogle was forced into a couple of timely clearances as Rovers struggled to stay in the game, Rovers also suffered a scare when keeper Ellaway went down injured, but fortunately he was able to continue. The half time whistle came, and Rovers went in at the break grateful to be in the game.

A rousing half time message from Darren Salmon and Donny Rennalls saw a much more positive Rovers take to the field in the second half.

After only five minutes Rovers had a great chance to get back into the game. A Josh Uzun free kick was flicked on by a combination of Ollie Twum and the Balham defender, and Adam Allen's thumping header was turned over the bar by Read.

Rovers were forced into their first chance a minute later, replacing the injured Kyle Henry with Kevant Serbony, and Serbony was to have a big influence on the game with his forward press.

On 56 minutes, Read again denied Rovers, as a great break by Marlon Pinder saw him square to Twum, but Read pulled off a superb save from close range. Midway through the half Twum made way for Neset Can Bellikli, and he again was to have an influence in proceedings.

Rovers backline were now containing the lively Balham forwards, and with the excellent Tomazc Wocial having less of an influence, Rovers were dominating.

Phil Page replaced Matt Tanton on 72 minutes, and the prolific marksmen was to cause Balham all manner of problems. Shortly after coming on Read denied Page from point blank range and on 78 minutes, Read again was out sharply to get a big hand to the ball as Page attempted to go passed him.

Page pulled one back for Rovers on 80 minutes, spinning Balham skipper Josh Henry and firing below Read for 2-1. Incredibly, a minute later the scores were level. Bellikli played a dangerous ball into the area, Uzun touched it to Page, who fired beyond Read for 2-2.

Balham had a chance at the other end to retake the lead, but Ellaway was out sharply to deny Adebayo, and as the game moved into the final minutes there was all to play for.

Serbony was fell by a poor challenge, giving Rovers a free kick, but there was a delay to the game as the Rovers players received treatment and was eventually helped from the pitch. From the free kick Ellaway found Hastings, his header found Allen who in turn set up Malachi Robinson and he crashed home the winner.

Rovers host Horley Town in the 2nd Round of the FA Vase on Friday night. It's a 19:45 ko at Sutton Utd