Gainsborough Trinity were forced to settle with a goalless draw against a ten men Warrington Rylands on Non League Day.
After a slightly dull first 45, the hosts did more then enough to earn all three points at the KAL Group Stadium, however countless saves from Luke Pilling meant the game finished 0-0.
The Holy Blues were sixth in the Northern Premier League heading into today’s game, facing a Warrington Rylands side two points ahead of them – presenting the Holy Blues with a chance to jump into a play-off spot.
Russ Wilcox made just the one change to the starting 11 from the side that lost to Bamber Bridge on Tuesday night, bringing in Frank Mulhern for Jonny Margetts.
A slow start to the game
The hosts came very close to opening the scoring just 15 minutes in as Aaron Simpson’s corner found Fraser Preston inside the box. The winger struck a half-volley into the ground and his effort looked destined to find the top corner until George Waring made a heroic goal line clearance, heading the ball over.
A minute of madness followed exactly halfway through the half as David Robson was forced to make a fine save at one end after Harrison Wood found himself through one-on-one for Warrington.
Trinity countered quickly down the left hand side as Javelle Clarke found space in shooting range, however the winger struck his curled shot inches over from around 20 yards out.
Frank Mulhern attempted an audacious effort from his own half in the 31st minute after seeing Luke Pilling off his line – his attempt wasn’t a million miles away, flying over the crossbar to the relief of Ryland’s goalkeeper.
A quiet end to the half saw the two sides go in goalless at the break, with Trinity having the better of their opposition in the first 45 minutes.
Excellent performance but no reward
The best chance of the game yet came ten minutes into the restart as Clarke found himself in a shooting position inside the Rylands box, poking a shot towards the bottom right corner – however Pilling did ever so well to get down quickly and palm it wide.
The visitors responded just a minute later, linking up well in the final third and presenting substitute Jack Burton with a golden opportunity, however Robson was there to tip the strike onto the post.
Gainsborough pushed hard for the winner going into the last 20 minutes, a quality cross from the left hand side delivered in by Ashley Jackson nearly provided them with the all important moment, finding Preston in the middle who could only turn it wide.
Soon after Pilling made a fantastic save to deny Jack Leckie from close range, Burton was shown a straight red card for lashing out at substitute Bobby Johnson after the Gainsborough substitute committed a tactical foul to stop a Rylands counter.
With the visitors down to ten men, Trinity threw the kitchen sink at the game. Helliwell forced yet another fine save from Pilling and from the resulting corner Jackson struck the post as the Holy Blues remained unable to take the lead and the game finished goalless.
Results elsewhere meant Gainsborough snuck into the play-off places in fifth despite earning just a point, leapfrogging Stockton Town ahead of facing them away from home next Friday.