The hosts started brightly, exerting a lot of pressure, as they adapted to the difficult under foot conditions the quickest. Though rarely troubling Luke Jackson in the Trinity goal. Curtis Round and Eddie Church working tirelessly down the flanks, whilst Adam Boyes was a constant focal point of the home sides' attack. Midway through the first half, perhaps against the run of play, Howe turned home a smart finish after the Marske 'keeper failed to deal with Dylan Cogil's hoisted centre, spilling the ball as he back pedalled, at the feet of Trinity's inform striker.

The goal boosted the visitors, and Javelle Clarke looked to take the fight to the hosts. One mazy run into the box ended with what looked like a nudge in the back, enough to send the fleet-footed winger to the ground. Not enough for the referee to award a penalty - but enough to book the Trinity man. Real clear cut opportunities were at a premium in the first half, as both teams defended resolutely in a half that lacked real quality.

Half Time: Marske United 0 Gainsborough Trinity 1

The Holy Blues started the second half fairly well. Bobby Johnson had a shot saved two minutes into the half, then Ash Jackson’s cross nine minutes later almost found the back of the net but Yaqub reacted quickly to tip it over the bar. But it didn’t take long for the home side to equalise. Donald Chimalilo, who had a great first half, hit first for Marske. Leading to more work for the Blues for the rest of the game.

Howe almost immediately restored the Trinity lead with a clever effort with the outside of his boot. Reading the bounce of the ball better than his marker & squeezing between the centre back and goalkeeper, Gainsborough's top scorer attempted to craft a creative finish, but couldn't quite find the back of the net.

Ten minutes after the equaliser, disaster struck for Trinity. Sheffield Wednesday loanee, Jackson, went down injured after attempting to keep a deflected Chimallio shot in play. Without a sub goalkeeper, Lewis Butroud stepped up to go in goal for the remaining 20 minutes. The Blues still fought hard for the remaining 20 minutes, pushing forward and trying to break through the tough Marske defence, Clarke notably dribbled through 4 Marske players only to be fouled midway through the home side’s half.

The home side eventually got the better of the outfield goalkeeper. A potential foul in the build up on substitute Daniel Devine was waved away by the man in the middle, then Marske went on to score from a Jason Kennedy header after nice interplay down the left. Devine booked for his protests as the home side celebrated.

It only took 3 minutes for the Seasiders to get a third. Dylan Cogill’s clearance was met by that man Kennedy in the Marske midfield, and his ball fed through to Boyes then his one touch and finish beat Butroid for the second time. The four minutes of stoppage time was full of chances for Trinity. Howe had a volley bounce off the top of the crossbar and then just moments later, in the last minute of the game, he was brought down and awarded a penalty. Howe stepped up and rifled his spot-kick past Yaqub, who got a hand to the effort from twelve  yards, but not enough to prevent Howe from netting his second brace for the Blues, on the road.

Ultimately though, it was a trip to the North East to forget for Trinity but they move on to the next away trip, to Greater Manchester, on Tuesday night, where they will face Hyde United. The Tigers, who sit 5th in the table, will prove to be a tough trip, but one that the Blues will work very hard to win - and get their away form back on track.

The Teams

Markse United: Jaan Yakub, Aaron Cunningham, Jorge Sikora, Lewis Leech, Dan Myers, Ben Beals, Eddie Church, Jason Kennedy, Adam Boyes, Donald Chimalilo (Josh Robertson), Curtis Round. Subs not used: Jake Hackett, Nathan Dale, Ashley McCarthy, Ian Clark.

Gainsborough Trinity: Luke Jackson (Joel Holvey 70), George Hornshaw, Ashley Jackson, Bailey Conway, Hamish Douglas, Dylan Cogill, Lewis Butroid, Bobby Johnson (Daniel Devine 66) Dayle Southwell, Declan Howe, Javelle Clarke. Subs not used: Nat Wallace, Jack Moore-Billam and Fraser Preston

Marske goals: Donald Chimalilo (61) Jason Kennedy (84), Adam Boyes (87)
Gainsborough goals: Declan Howe (22 and 90+4 pen)
Gainsborough bookings: Ashley Jackson, Bailey Conway, Bobby Johnson, Javelle Clarke and Daniel Devine
Referee: Glen Hart
Attendance: 405

Report by Cian Stringer
Photos with thanks to Janette Ruddock (Marske United Photographer)