BURY Town seem set to face the lottery of a play-off semi-final after losing a top of the table clash 2-1 at Sutton.

The visitors made a promising start with a shot on the turn by Sam Reed which was pushed around the post by Sutton keeper, Scriven.

The home side looked threatening on the break with their strike-force of Dudas and Forbes going close on a number of occasions.

However, on the half hour mark it was Bury that came closest to taking the lead when Henderson latched on to a through ball from S Reed only to see his clipped shot rebound back off the post.

Sutton took the lead when Forbes headed in at the far post from Ebworth’s in-swinging corner.

Leabon went close to equalising for Bury with a header that was cleared off the line.

At the other end Sutton took full advantage of a defensive mix-up which left Dudas clean through on goal to score off the post from close range.

The latter stages of the match became a scrappy affair but Bury’s persistence paid off when S Reed was upended in the box and the striker gratefully dispatched the resultant penalty.

In injury time the visitors might have bagged a point but Leabon’s goalbound shot was cleared by Adjei.

The result leaves Bury to chase promotion via the play-offs while Sutton are almost assured of Conference South football next season.