Gainsborough Trinity narrowly missed out on a direct route to the FA Cup First Round Proper as they require a replay against National League Hartlepool United following a 1-1 draw.
A dominant first half:
Trinity started the better of the sides in this Emirates FA Cup tie, with Jonny Margetts attempting to put the ball into Lewis Butroid, but Hartlepool did enough to clear it.
Moments later, Butroid did well get a shot off, but it was defended well.
A ball whipped in by Gainsborough, and a strike by Fraser Preston forced visiting goalkeeper George Evans into his first save of the afternoon.
The Holy Blues’ goalkeeper, David Robson’s first challenge was at his near post from a strike by Jay Benn.
Just beyond the 30-minute mark, the host’s did manage to get the ball through to Preston. Who crossed towards Harrison Beeden and his header challenged Evans but went just over the crossbar.
Ex-football league manager Simon Grayson’s men had a dangerous chance when Dacosta Gonzalez put the ball along the goal line, but to no avail.
Trinity finally got their goal which they desperately wanted courtesy of Butroid who slotted the ball home following a ball in from the right.
The first period ended with mainly Hartlepool chances in the six minutes added on; the best coming from Daniel Johnson who received the ball in behind, forcing Robson to come off his line, and dive to make the save.
HT: Gainsborough Trinity 1-0 Hartlepool United
Visitors Hartlepool started the second half of play a lot brighter than they were in the first period with attacks coming but unfortunately ending up in a free kick for Trinity.
Preston, Javelle Clarke and Butroid all linked up well on Gainsborough’s attacking front, however one too many touches led to Evans being able to take the ball into his grasp.
Trinity nearly doubled their lead through Preston whose free kick on the edge of the box went just over the crossbar worrying Hartlepool players and fans.
Sisa Tuntulwana came on in the striker position following Jonny Margetts’ first half injury. Credit: Rob HughesClarke then came close two minutes later as he received the ball on the turn in the six-yard box but could only flash his shot wide of the left hand post.
United substitute Nathan Ferguson attempted to slot the ball through in the box with a heavy pass which ended up out for a goal kick to the Holy Blues.
The Monkey Hangers finally broke their personal deadlock of the tie with under ten minutes to go as Kian Foreman’s strike took a touch off the crossbar before bouncing in off Trinity keeper David Robson and going over the line.
The hosts kept battling to try and find a goal that would put them back ahead in the tie, but so did Hartlepool with the game ending in a deadlock, and a replay in the Emirates FA Cup required under the lights at the Suit Direct Stadium.
Full-time: Gainsborough Trinity 1-1 Hartlepool United
Trinity will now travel to Hartlepool on Tuesday night to face up to the National League side away from home with replays still being used in the competition up until the first round proper.