Gainsborough Trinity complete remarkable comeback from three goals down

A Frank Mulhern brace, and goal from skipper Lewis Butroid secured another precious point for Gainsborough Trinity in a real tale of two halves.

Manager Russ Wilcox named an unchanged side from Trinity’s 3-1 win in the week away from home against Bamber Bridge.

Wilcox and his side came into this game the favourites on paper due to their league positioning compared to their opponents who were bottom of the Northern Premier League Premier Division.

Two goals down

The Holy Blues had the first chance of the game through Sisa Tuntulwana, putting a long throw into the box which fell to Ashley Jackson whose strike was riffled towards goal, but out for a goal kick.

Javelle Clarke then found a nice bit of space on the left flank with a ball in, but it was an easy save for Workington keeper Alexander Mitchell.

Trinity then went extremely close, with Lewis Butroid kissing the bar with some power behind it.

Workington then managed to get their first goal of the game through Daniel Ogwuru, who was given too much space by the Trinity backline as he struck the ball, hitting the post, and scoring.

Seven minutes after their first, Workington doubled their lead through winger Kai Nugget, who put the ball past Trinity goalkeeper David Robson.

Although two goals behind, Gainsborough didn’t give up, with Frank Mulhern, Tuntulwana and Clarke all trying to make things happen for the hosts.

Trinity continued to fight back to try and break their own personal deadlock, with Jack Leckie striking towards goal, and Tuntulwana hitting the side netting.

Another close attempt for Russ Wilcox’s side came when a great run from Tuntulwana allowed him to find Clarke with a brilliant ball into the box who struck the ball, but unfortunately a Workington defender cleared it off the line after Mitchell had been drawn off it by Tuntulwana.

The half ended with Wilcox’s side down two goals, not yet scoring any of their own, but looking as though they definitely could.

Things can only get better

Gainsborough began the second half just as they ended the first – by applying pressure to the visitors.

With 25 minutes to go, the Reds got themselves a penalty which was converted by Ogwuru, securing his brace for the afternoon.

Five minutes later, Trinity opened their account for the afternoon through captain Lewis Butroid.

Then, with just over 15 minutes to go, Gainsborough got their second, and Frank Mulhern got his first with a wonder strike which lowered the deficit to just one goal between the two sides.

A penalty was awarded the way of the Holy Blues which was converted by Mulhern as he sealed his brace, and putting the game back equal.

The game finished end-to-end with both sides trying to see if they could secure all three points for their side’s respective tallies in the league standings.

With other results in the league, Gainsborough finished the day in seventh place, four points of the play-off places ahead of their game away against Whitby Town on Tuesday night.