Parsons relieved to get Sutton & Epsom back to winning ways

Park’s Neil Collins' early try was met by Sam Hurley's first-half penalty and try, but Alan Knuckley's converted try restored the home side's lead.

Andy Matthews' went over and a penalty try made it 20-12 to Sutton, before another Knuckley touch-down left the teams separated by just one point at half-time.

The Black and Whites weathered intense Park pressure in the second period, but the dead-eyed Hurley nailed the only points with a well-taken penalty.

Parsons men remain fourth in the table, 12 points off leaders Wimbledon.

He said: "It was a very tough game. They missed quite a few points from the boot and they are a very physical side.

"It was a strange game. They had a lot of possession in the second half and they threw everything at us, but did not manage to score.

Break: Sam Hurley makes his way to the try-line in the win over Charlton Park         Picutre: Dave Jackson

“It was very tough and we were delighted with the win.”

He added: "They have very big, strong forwards and they put us under pressure, but we managed to do just enough. "Sam had his kicking boots on, luckily. In the second half, everybody really stood up."

Parsons revealed Kyren Ghumra will return for the Hove game after being mugged in Croydon last week.

The winger missed Saturday's game having received stitches following the attack, but Parsons hailed his replacement Andy Nichols.

Match report and pics: Parsons boys pull off the great escape

"Andy Nichols is very good defensively and he brings a little bit more experience to the team. There is a lot of competition at the club," he said.

Sutton's next game is against rock-bottom Hove on February 21, and although the league table suggests a home win is likely, Parsons is not taking the south coast side lightly.

"If we go out looking for a high score, inevitably it does not happen,” he said.

“We will go about our business as we do. We will be very focused in the next two weeks.”