Wrexham finished with nine fit players in their 3-0 Vanarama National League defeat at Sutton United.

The Dragons had Luke Summerfield sent off just before half-time and then James Jennings suffered an injury after they had used all three substitutes.

“We are bitterly disappointed with that,” said Wrexham manager Sam Ricketts. “Nothing went our way and you get games like that.

“We were comfortable, but goals win games. Sutton were awarded what I thought was a harsh penalty and it snowballed after that.

Captain Shaun Pearson was penalised for holding Sutton’s Charlie Clough inside the penalty at a corner. Jamie Collins stepped up and although goalkeeper Rob Lainton went the right way, the effort had enough power on it to find the back of the net.

“It’s very soft and I didn’t see anything in it,” said Ricketts. “But we can’t give the referee a decision to make. It had a snowballing effect when anything that could go wrong did go wrong.”

Summerfield then saw red for a challenge just before the interval when he appeared to catch Jonah Aygunga after mis-timing his tackle.

Ricketts, again, did not agree, saying: ““I didn’t think it was a sending off and Sutton’s bench didn’t think so either.

“We finished with nine players because James Jennings was struggling at the end with injury and, truthfully, I can’t fault the attitude or commitment in the team.”

Wrexham now turn to their match against second-placed Harrogate Town away on Tuesday and the Dragons’ gaffer said: “We’ll be ready, hungry and up for it.

“It’s an opportunity to go out and put in a performance like we have for the majority of this season. We can put it right.”

Wrexham named an unchanged team, while Sutton made six changes to their starting line-up.

The visitors started brightly and Rekeil Wright had an early chance, but then Wrexham conceded a penalty after 14 minutes, converted by Collins.

The Reds fell two goals behind on 36 minutes when a high cross from the Sutton left was headed away by Pearson. The ball hit Cadogan, who reacted quickly to spin on the spot and fire home from inside the six-yard box.

Summerfield’s dismissal left Wrexham in a difficult situation at half-time and they were in even worse trouble when Craig Eastmond headed a Kieron Cadogan cross into goal from close range after 51 minutes.

It was heartening that Wrexham kept battling with half chances falling to Jake Lawlor and Chris Holroyd before Mike Fondop went on for Stuart Beavon with 36 minutes left.

The next change was Akil Wright for Walker as the hour mark was reached before Luke Young took over from Paul Rutherford on 66 minutes.

But there was no way back for Ricketts’ men, who stand third in the National League table, and the 380 travelling fans were left stunned by the manner and severity of their teams defeat.

Now the task for captain Pearson and his team is to show against Harrogate away next Tuesday that this poor result against Sutton was a one-off. 

Sutton United: Butler, Bennett, Thomas, Clough, Collins (Beckwith 79), Ayunga (Bolarinwa 64), Cadogan, Eastmond, Bailey, Brown, T Wright (Drinan 72). Subs not used: Beautyman, Taylor.

Wrexham: Lainton, Roberts, Lawlor, Pearson, Jennings, Summerfield, Walker (A Wright 60), Rutherford (Young 66), Pyke, Holroyd, Beavon (Fondop 54). Subs not used: Dibble, Maguire-Drew.

Referee: Alan Dale (Suffolk)

Attendance: 2,050 (380 away)