Gainsborough Trinity provided another cup upset, reaching the third round after defeating National League North side Chester in the FA Trophy.
Trinity’s win marked the start of a run of three consecutive games played at home for Russ Wilcox’s side before the exciting FA Cup second round trip to Sky Bet League Two side Harrogate Town at the end of the month.
The Holy Blues sealed the win with a late Declan Howe winner, after Chester were reduced to ten men.
A Poor Final Ball:
The opening quarter of an hour saw the ball spend most of the time in the air rather than on the grass as both sides looked to get control of the tie. Tom Peers had an effort from inside the box deflected wide within the opening 10 minutes.
After the 20 minute mark, the visitors started to make an impression, as Iwan Murray created some space on the edge of the Trinity box, before his right-footed effort was tame and cleared away comfortably.
Gainsborough ‘keeper Dylan Wharton was called into action for the first time on 25 minutes, at full stretch to deny Kurt Willoughby’s high, curling effort from outside the penalty area.
With five to play before the break, forward Howe had a burst of pace down the left wing, and pulled a cross back into the penalty area, just ahead of Fraser Preston in Trinity’s brightest moment of the half. Bobby Johnson had the first effort on target for Trinity, comfortably held by Harrison in the Chester net.
Russ Wilcox’s side finished the opening 45 the stronger of the two sides, with full-back Sisa Tuntulwana’s viscous cross panicking Harrison, before Howe’s poked effort from close range was held by the Chester goalkeeper, in the last action of the opening half.
Trinity’s Deserving Second-Half:
Harrison was called upon once again for Chester at the start of the second half, as Tuntulwana was back, galloping down the right wing before cutting inside. His left-footed curling effort looked destined to find the roof of the net, but his strike was pushed over by Harrison’s fingertips, at full stretch.
The visitors responded well with a sustained period of pressure for the following ten minutes. Kurt Willoughby came closest, as his volley was a powerful effort that flew just over the crossbar.
Tuntulwana thought he had given the hosts the lead on 57 minutes as he climbed highest to head home from a corner on the Trinity left. However, before the ball had nestled its way into the net, referee Liam Smith had blown for a foul, and the goal was disallowed.
Gainsborough remained the side that were knocking on the door, as substitute Lewis Butroid was next to go close. A free-kick played short found Butroid, with his strike being spilt on the line by Harrison. The Chester man was able to collect at the second time of asking.
Chester See Red and Trinity Pinch It:
Chester had to play the last ten minutes a man down, as midfielder Jack Bainbridge was shown a straight red card by referee Liam Smith, for a high, over the top tackle in the middle of the park.
Butroid went close again as Trinity were in the ascendency in the final few minutes. His effort from the edge of the penalty area flashed wide of the post, with Harrison stranded.
With less than two minutes to play, Gainsborough took a deserved lead in front of the Stuart Horsley Stand. A devastating counter-attack started by Bobby Johnson saw Javelle Clarke’s cross dropped horribly by Harrison in the Chester net. Declan Howe was on hand to put the ball in for his 17th of the term.
Five minutes of added time saw the win comfortably seen out, with Russ Wilcox’s side advanced into the third round for the first time in seven years.