Sutton 1, Eastbourne Borough 5.

Eastbourne Borough went back to the top of the Blue Square south table following a comfortable win over rock-bottom Sutton United.

Andy Atkin (2), Scott Ramsay, Andy Ballard and Paul Armstrong were on target to send Borough a point clear of Sussex rivals Lewes.

Manager Gary Wilson said: "We never really looked like losing the game once we'd scored early on but we still have to take our chances and work hard. We have never won at Sutton in all my time at the club so it was nice to change that and keep our run going."

An upset never looked on the cards from the moment Ramsay put the visitors in front with just four minutes gone.

Ironically, it was a former Lewes loan player who made the mistake which led to the goal. Karim El-Salahi let a long kick by keeper Lee Hook to bounce, allowing Ramsay to steal in and fire under Kevin Davies.

Sutton looked low in confidence and quality from then on and almost went further behind 12 minutes later.

Andy Ballard, who kept his place in the centre of defence despite the return from suspension of Darren Baker, launched a huge throw into the box and Atkin sent a header inches past a post.

Ballard's throw was a real asset to Borough and they went close with another one shortly before the half-hour when Matt Crabb scuffed wide.

United struggled to cope with Borough's direct approach, with almost every long high ball causing them problems. There was little surprise when Wilson's side doubled their lead on 37 minutes after another punt from Hook caught the home side out.

Ramsay raced down the right and saw his cross deflected for a corner. Crabb's kick was only half cleared and when Armstrong latched on to the rebound and smashed a low shot back into the area, Atkin was first to react to turn into the net.

The game was put out of Sutton's reach a minute after the restart following a well-worked goal. A passing move ended with Pat Harding running clear down the right and his low cross was slotted neatly into the far corner by Armstrong.

Sutton had to wait until ten minutes into the second half for their first effort at goal.

Powerful striker Craig Dundas muscled his way to the left by-line and pulled the ball back for Jason Goodchild to shoot against the top of the crossbar.

Borough were soon back in control and added another goal five minutes later. Ballard rose highest at a Crabb corner to power home a header for his second goal in as many games.

The fifth goal came three minutes later when Crabb found space down the inside left channel and fired across goal for Atkin to slide in and convert from close range.

El-Salahi scored the consolation for United on 82 minutes.

Sutton: Kevin Davies, Whisken, Robert Hughes, Scarborough, El-Salahi, Alimi, Goodchild, Honey, Wright, Dundas, Jermiele Johnson. Subs: Tom Hughes, Dunn, Ottaway, Cuff, Ball.

Borough: Hook, Ballard, Jenkins, Kember, Lovett, Pullan, Harding, Armstrong, Atkin, Ramsay, Matt Crabb. Subs: Baker, Smart, Budd, Tait, Lightwood.