Russ Wilcox shuffled his pack, looking to keep the side fresh amongst the busy fixture schedule. Making four changes as Dylan Wharton, Aaron Simpson, Lewis Butroid and Fraser Preston all had to start on the bench, with Josh Render, Joe Stacey, Bailey Conway and Dayle Southwell all coming in to start. The changes seemed to have the desired, as Trinity were quickly out of the traps. Declan Howe a real handful. Striking the angle of post and bar, he sent a warning the way of the hosts. The warning wasn't heeded though, Sisa Tuntulwana dropping a delicately weighted ball into the path of Howe. With the goalkeeper caught stranded, Howe lofted the ball over the 'keeper, finding the top left hand corner.

Hebburn's directness was asking a question or two of the Gainsborough back line. Amar Purewal, the 35 year old focal point of the Bees' forward line rounding Render, but the former Sheffield Wednesday youngster doing enough to force him wide, and Will Lancaster reading the danger well, to clear off the line. Tuntulwana flashed an inviting ball across the face of Kieran Hunter's with a string of Trinity players lining up, but agonisingly, no one able to apply the telling touch.

Midway through the first half, Trinity really switched off, another long ball from front to back wasn't dealt with by the Blues. Purewal helping the ball on, for Olly Martin to slot under the advancing Render. A composed finish from the home forward, but a disappointing goal to concede for the Holy Blues. Immediately after conceding the equaliser, Trinity had the opportunity to retake the lead. Goal scorer Howe looking to lift the ball over the advancing 'keeper, Hunter somehow stretching to claw the ball away.

Hebburn began to turn the screw, as the skies darkened and the weather turned. Bombarding the box with a series of corners, freekicks and crosses. Cogil and Tuntulwana getting telling blocks, before Michael Turner rose highest, but was unable to guide his header on target. Trinity managing to weather the storm through to the break, going in at half time level, when in truth - they'd had the chances to almost be out of sight by the midway point of the first half, only to be pegged back.

Half Time: Hebburn Town 1 Gainsborough Trinity 1

The second half ebbed and flowed, but it was the hosts that snatched the deciding goal just five minutes into the second period. Olly Martin quicker to the ball, he got to the by-line down the Gainsborough right and stood a brilliant ball up to the back post, where Purewal was unmarked. Giving the home captain all the time in the world to nod into the gaping goal.

With their noses in front, Trinity had it all to do. Turner was marshaling the back line well for Hebburn. Aaron Simpson, on for Tuntulwana was looking to raid down the right, winning a couple of corners. One of which was cleared only as far as Dayle Southwell on the edge of the box. He connected well with his effort - but it was straight down the throat of Kieran Hunter, who held on - with Howe lurking.

Preston then went close, unleashing a curling effort from 25 yards - it wasn't far away - as Trinity continued to press for an equaliser. Three minutes from time, the Holy Blues were denied a late equaliser, when Hunter somehow pulled off an unreal point blank save. A reaction save that had most of the ground in disbelief. How had Gainsborough not managed to level things up?

Even with Referee Glen Hart playing seven added minutes, it wasn't to be for the Blues, substitute Adamson breaking up a late counter with a cynical challenge to upend Preston in full flight. An ultimately disappointing night in the North East, where Trinity needed to be better in both boxes to come away with anything from the game. There's little in the way of turnaround time though, with two more games in quick succession to right the wrongs of two successive defeats. Will the Blues bounce back, away at Leek Town on Saturday, and then at home to Worksop Town on Bank Holiday Monday. It's certainly relentless, early season action in the Pitching In Northern Premier League.

The Teams

Hebburn Town: Kieran Hunter, Joe Walton, Aidan Haywood, Liam Murray (Dan Groves 65), Tom Devitt, Michael Turner, Liam Noble, Robbie Spence, Amar Purewal (Bailey Adamson 65), Olly Martin (Leo Robinson 76), Joe Posthill. Subs not used: Gildo Da Silva and Daniel Moore

Gainsborough Trinity: Josh Render, Sisa Tuntulwana (Aaron Simpson 57), Ashley Jackson, Bailey Conway (Fraser Preston 46), Will Lancaster, Dylan Cogill, Joe Stacey (Lewis Butroid 57), Jordan Helliwell, Dayle Southwell, Declan Howe, Aaron Braithwaite. Subs not used: Dylan Wharton, Glen Sani.

Attendance: 427
Referee: Glen Hart

Match report by Rob Hughes (@AATM_Media)