Gainsborough Trinity returned to winning ways as they came from behind to beat in-form Warrington Rylands at the KAL Group Stadium.
Ashley Jackson, Declan Howe and Jordan Helliwell completed the comeback for the Holy Blues, after conceding early, to secure a crucial three points that moved them away from the relegation zone.
Russ Wilcox named the same line-up that drew with Hyde United last time out, while the visitors travelled as the division’s form side. Neil Reynold’s team had not lost since November 23, winning their last five on the bounce.
Warrington’s fast start:
It was clear who the team with confidence were early on, as Warrington flew out the blocks. A slick passing move after just six minutes, left Ben Hardcastle through on goal.
The top-scorer rounded Wharton in the Trinity net with a heavy touch before firing a lofted shot goalward. Dylan Cogill thought he had done enough as he hooked it away, but the linesman adjudged the ball to have crossed the line and Trinity found themselves behind early on.
It was a goal which only added fuel to Rylands’ fire as they dominated the early exchanges, Jake Daniels was another danger man who wriggled free of the Holy Blues’ defence after 15 minutes but could not convert his shot.
Few chances before an unlikely goalscorer:
Gainsborough then grew into a slow first-half, keeping the ball well without creating many goalscoring opportunities. Howe forayed forward for the first time after half an hour but overran his only half chance with a heavy touch.
Hardcastle had an opportunity for a second Warrington goal shortly afterwards, as Gabidon played the midfielder into a promising shooting position inside the penalty area. His right footed effort rolled wide of the mark.
Just as the first-half seemed to be drawing to a close, there was a moment of absolute brilliance to give Trinity an equaliser.
Left-back Ashley Jackson picked the ball up in an unlikely position on the right-hand side of the penalty area. He curled an effort that flew perfectly into the top left corner, leaving the goalkeeper with no chance and levelling the game up ahead of the interval.
Trinity continued as the team in the ascendancy after the break. Howe had a sight of goal after just five minutes, but his shot from a tight angle was well saved. Jackson and Cogill followed with close efforts of their own to reinforce a good start to the half.
Trinity complete the comeback:
The game was proving to be more entertaining than in the first-half and Warrington responded as Daniels stung the palms of Wharton at the near post, not long before Alex Kiwomya shot just wide from the resulting corner.
A lull in the game then fell as both sides prepared for the closing stages. That was until Jackson found himself in possession inside the 18-yard-box with 20 minutes to play.
A risky challenge from behind left the Trinity players, staff and supporters asking for a penalty but appeals were quickly waved away to the frustration of Russ Wilcox especially.
There were little complains just moments later though, as a long ball fell kindly for who else but Declan Howe to give his side the lead. Trinity’s clinical number ten lobbed a wonderful finish over Pilling to make it 2-1.
It was then very quickly game over on 78 minutes as Jordan Helliwell made it 3-1. He cut inside from the left-wing before skipping round two men and unleashing a fierce strike into the top right corner.
A sensational five minutes for the hosts which put them in a commanding position to see the game out.
See it out they did and secured themselves a statement victory on a cold Tuesday evening in Gainsborough. It is a win that lifts them towards mid-table in the Northern Premier League, ahead of hosting bottom side Blyth Spartans on Saturday.