Sutton United endured EFL Trophy final heartbreak as they fell to an agonising 4-2 extra-time defeat at the hands of League One Rotherham United at Wembley.
The League Two underdogs started the brighter with David Ajiboye dancing through Rotherham’s defence before finding Will Randall only for the midfielder to drag his effort wide.
However, Sutton’s perseverance paid off on the half-hour mark as Donovan Wilson coolly slotted home following Randall’s excellent pass.
Rotherham then found an unlikely equaliser three minutes before the break when Ben Wiles unleashed an unstoppable strike that Sutton keeper Dean Bouzanis was powerless to prevent.
Parity didn’t last long though as the Us were back in front three minutes after the break as Craig Eastmond poked home Ajiboye’s cross after seeing his initial attempt blocked.
The Millers should have equalised when Wiles put Freddie Ladapo through one-on-one – only for Bouzanis to pull out a huge save.
But just as it appeared Sutton had nullified Rotherham’s threat, Jordi Osei-Tutu fired home from 25 yards out to take the contest into extra-time.
The additional 30 minutes proved too much for Sutton as Chiedozie Ogbene made it 3-2 for Rotherham moments after Harry Beautyman blazed over the bar at the other end.
And Michael Ihiekwe put the game beyond doubt with a header in the 112th minute to end Sutton’s brave resilience.