Ebbsfleet were knocked out of the FA Trophy despite a spirited second-half display at Sutton on Saturday.

Inspired by new signing Callum Harriott, the Fleet came from a goal behind to lead 3-1, only for Sutton to take the tie to spot-kicks after a 3-3 draw in 90 minutes.

There was a debut for on-loan keeper Magnus Norman, who joined on loan from Oldham for the rest of the season after flu ruled out both the Fleet’s first-choice keeper Mark Cousins and his back-up, Dylan Berry.

Norman was one of six changes from the team that drew 0-0 with Boston in the league last Saturday, no doubt manager Harry Watling had one eye on Tuesday night’s league trip to AFC Fylde.

Former Gills man Harriott was named on the bench after his signing was announced an hour before kick-off.

Ebbsfleet, playing with the wind in the first half, started brightly with Toby Edser leading an early break which saw a booking for Siju Odelusi after a cynical foul. Edser sent the resulting 30-yard free-kick over the bar.

Todd Kane’s left-foot shot lacked power but the opening 20 minutes also saw further bookings for Fleet’s Tyler Cordner and Sutton midfielder Lewis Simper before the game struggled to get going in difficult conditions with strong winds and driving rain.

A game of few chances came to life three minutes before the break when Rakish Bingham’s pass was intercepted and Sutton broke to devastating effect. Jeremy Sivi sent Nana Boateng clear and he confidently fired home beyond keeper Norman.

Ebbsfleet nearly levelled on the stroke of half-time when Aaron Cosgrave got behind the last man but his intended lob was well turned behind for a corner by keeper Jack Sims.

The visitors replaced Maxx Manktelow with Harriott at the break and within two minutes they were back on level terms. The positive Harriott ran at the Sutton defence before crossing from the left, the ball falling perfectly for Kane to score with a finish more associated with his namesake Harry.

Ebbsfleet then took the lead on 54 minutes, Cosgrave powering forward and brilliantly shooting low beyond Sims from distance to spark jubilant celebrations among the small band of travelling supporters.

Harriott added a third to leave those Fleet followers in dreamland, latching on to a ball over the top and then producing an excellent left-foot finish as he never looked like missing.

But the tie was far from over as Sutton pulled a goal back with 17 minutes left, a cracking first-time right-foot volley from substitute Finley Barbrook finding the bottom corner.

Franklin Domi then fouled Eduino Vaz in the box and Odelusi - possibly fortunate to have avoided a second yellow card for a high boot on Harriott minutes earlier - stepped up to tuck away the spot-kick on 81 minutes.

Ryan Jackson then had a great chance to win it for Sutton in the 87th minute but his left-foot shot was saved low down by Norman.

Then Sutton had two chances brilliantly saved by Norman as the clock ticked onto 90 minutes with Barbrook’s 20-yard effort coming back off the crossbar.

In the shoot-out, Bingham scored for Ebbsfleet before Odelusi levelled for Sutton. Harriott then hit the bar for Ebbsfleet but Besart Topallaj put Sutton 2-1 ahead after two spot-kicks apiece. Edser had his spot-kick saved and Jack Wadham put Sutton 3-1 up. Kane made it 3-2 but Boateng tucked away his penalty to send the hosts through.

Sutton: Sims, Ransom, Okoli, Waller, Jackson, Odelusi, Simper (Barbrook 46mins), Sivi (Topallaj 90mins), Boateng, Vaz (Wadham 90mins), Davies (Coley 27mins). Subs not used: Roberts, French, Muller.

Ebbsfleet: Norman, Stewart, John, Cordner, Kane, Manktelow (Harriott 46mins), Edser, Domi, Souare (Dallison 69mins), Cosgrave, Bingham. Subs not used: Firth, Wright, Tanga,

Referee: Gareth Rhodes.

Attendance: 955 (70 away).