Fraser Preston released the returning Southwell down the left, his cut back found Howe who spun in the box. Only to see his effort blocked. George Hornshaw following in also so his shot charged down, as the Blues showed they meant business! Really racing out of the traps, Trinity did only need less than three minutes to open their account against relegation threatened Rangers. Declan Howe firing home for his 20th of the season. Preston blocking a clearance, which Howe needed no second invitation to strike, catching Cameron Belford off guard. A thumping effort from range, that set the Blues on their way.

Tyrece Onyeka looked a threat with his directness down the right for Stafford. He got to the by-line, his cut back just evading Connor Heath joining from the left. Sean Cooke making himself half a yard to fire off a shot, but it was always rising and never troubling Dylan Wharton in the Gainsborough goal. Looking to play through the thirds, Trinity were really looking to put on a spectacle. Preston’s measured ball for Howe saw the marksman squeezed out by Stewart at the heart of the Stafford defence, before Preston and Jackson combined to give Southwell a sight of goal, but his right-footed attempted drifted wide of the far post.

More measured build up play down the left, involving Butroid, Preston, Jackson and Southwell, saw Howe inches away from connecting with Southwell's centre. Southwell then tested Belford. A neat give and go with Bobby Johnson on the edge of the box saw the former Alfreton man wriggle through - and open his body up to shoot. Denied by Belford for a corner!

Ashley Jackson was next to turn provider, when he stood the ball up to Howe at the back-post, the red-hot striker, nodding the ball in off the underside of the bar, giving Trinity a two goal cushion. Owen German struck a firm effort just over, before a wilder effort hit the hoardings above the Stuart Horsley Stand at one end, before Preston drove straight at Belford.

Stafford grew into the game late in the half, with play down the left causing George Hornshaw problems. Health curled in a nice cross, which on-loan Sheffield United ‘keeper Dylan Wharton gathered at the second attempt under pressure from Stafford top-scorer Kaiman Anderson. The game had a bit of needle as half-time neared, with little flashpoints threatening to spill over in different areas of the pitch. It continued after referee Waqar Ahmad blew for half time, as Stafford boss Dave Cooke confronted him going towards the tunnel.

Half Time: Gainsborough Trinity 2 Stafford Rangers 0

Stafford came at Trinity from the restart, and Wharton had to be alert to beat Joe Wills' twenty yarder away. Wills then connecting with Cooke's corner that Jackson did well to head clear. At the other end, Howe was working hard to hold the ball up. A clever piece of hold up play saw him release Southwell. His searching centre not quite finding the supporting run of Preston arriving late in the box.

Five minutes into the second half, Stafford were awarded a penalty. Hamish Douglas guilty of a clumsy challenge on Stafford's leading scorer Kaiman Anderson. The centre forward dusting himself down, and converting from the spot. Wharton guessed the right way, but couldn't keep out the spot-kick. A Hornshaw raid down the right, saw the roving full back cut the ball back towards Preston, but Wills got back well to cut out the centre. Southwell was next to get a sight of goal. A deep corner landing at the feet of the centre forward, but Rangers' threw bodies at his feet - his effort ruffling the wrong side of the net.

Wharton, at the other end, dominated his area, as Stafford went in search of an equaliser. A coming together in the middle of the park saw the referee grounded, Bobby Johnson out of the game, and Wills again trying his luck from range. That attempt was charged down, but substitute Kian Taylor's effort was more problematic, though saying that, the stopper was more than equal to the effort.

Howe and Stacey combined late on, but Butroid couldn't add to his Easter Saturday goal, Andrew Burns charging down his effort, before it got to Belford. Trinity managing to run down the clock with no further scares to complete the maximum six from six, completing Easter in a season high of tenth position, and still plenty to play for!

The Teams

Gainsborough Trinity: Dylan Wnarton, George Hornshaw, Ashley Jackson, Bailey Conway, Hamish Douglas, Dylan Cogill, Lewis Butroid, Bobby Johnson, Dayle Southwell (Joe Stacey 77), Declan Howe, Fraser Preston. Subs not used: Nathaniel Wallace, Jack Moore-Billam, Connor Shanks and Josh Render.

Stafford Rangers: Cameron Belford, Andrew Burns, George Burroughs, Joe Wills, Ethan Stewart, James O'Neil (Lewis Porter 88) Connor Heath (Kian Taylor 63) Owen German, Kaiman Anderson, Sean Cooke, Tyrece Onyeka. Subs not used: Isaac Lee, Jack Stafford and Jack Sandel.

Referee: Waqar Ahmed
Attendance: 612

Match report by Rob Hughes (@AATM_Media)
Photos by Yetunde Adegoke