After Saturday's first victory of the Vanarama National League South season against Concord Rangers, Steve Tully's men were moments away from a second league defeat before Pugh's intervention in the eighth minute of injury time.

It was the final twist on an incredible night in South London, which saw referee Elliott Kaye hand out seven yellow cards and two red cards.

Sutton were reduced to ten men when Shaun Cooper was sent off in the second half, and City's Isaac Vassell was shown a red card in injury time.

Tully made three changes to the side which beat Hayes, with Pugh, Ryan Brett and Craig Duff coming in for Ed Palmer, Matt Wright and Shane Krac.

And they got off to a disastrous start when Dan Fitchett gave the Us the lead after just 40 seconds.

But City were level on nine minutes. Sutton goalkeeper Ross Worner was penalised for bringing Vassell down in the box and Shane White stepped up to score his second penalty in as many games.

Just before the hour mark, however, the hosts were back in front when Fitchett grabbed his second goal of the game.

Sutton were then reduced to ten men 15 minutes from time when Collins was dismissed following a second yellow card. Kaye booking the player for taking too long to take a free kick.

There was more controversy when Vassell was red carded for diving in the box, though many felt the challenge did warrant a penalty.

But with the game into the eighth minute of injury time, Pugh pounced on an error by Worner to rescue a dramatic point.

Sutton: R Worner, D Spence, D Wishart, D Beckwith, S Cooper (Dundas), J Collins, M Spillane, G Southam, S Fleetwood, D Fitchett (Hippolyte-Patrick), R Stearn (McAllister). Subs (not used): Shaw, Wright.

Goals: Fitchett (1 & 59)

City: M Rice, S White, C Riley-Lowe, J Ash (C Cooke 73), R Farkins, A Pugh, A Dawson, R Brett, C Duff (M Wright 54), I Vassell, D Green (S Krac 73). Subs (not used): T McHale, E Palmer.

Goals: White (9 pen), Pugh (90+8).

Referee: Elliott Kaye.

Attendance: 746.

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Referee performance an "embarrassment", says Sutton United skipper

Sutton United skipper Glen Southam cut a furious figure after last night's controversial draw with Truro City at Gander Green Lane - and chances are he did not get a wink of sleep afterwards.

Dan Fitchett bagged both United goals in a 2-2 draw, but the only talking point post-match was the performance of the referee.

City had to come from behind twice to steal a point, and when the first leveller came via an inexplicable penalty call against Ross Worner, the home faithful turned on the referee.

Southam was also scathing about the number of yellow cards dished out, which eventually ended with United’s Jamie Collins and City’s Isaac Vassell being sent off in the second half for second cautions.

The skipper said: “The lads were superb. This was a second game in three days and the boys started brilliantly – we go the early goal and were totally in control.

“But I have never seen a penalty decision that like in my life. I am speechless.

“I wanted to speak to the ref about it, but his exact words all night were “Go away” – that’s all he said. He did not want to talk to anyone.”

“The ref says “Talk to me”, but when you try to talk to them and you get nothing back – all you get is a hand, go away - it’s all about them.

“It takes away from the boys’ performance, and that’s the disappointing thing because we deserved to win.”

United would have taken all three points, but for a last-gasp clanger from Worner who allowed harmless back header to drop over the line.

However, Collins’ sending off was key in building the pressure on the United back four.

Southam said: “I don’t want to take anything away from us, you could say we conceded the goal, you could say it is points dropped – but you cannot answer for a referee performance like that.

“Refs are too quick to get the yellow card out from the start and JC’s sending off is an embarrassment.

“We’re out there playing for points and money, it’s not for fun. We have a team that are winners and want to win leagues and refs need to understand that.

“It doesn’t matter to them when they go home at night. They’re not getting points or getting sacked.

“We need to come and perform, and when someone comes and ruins it.”

He added: “I won’t sleep – the game will go over in my head. I hate losing and it feels like a loss. It’s frustrating, the referee has robbed us of three points.”