Despite the quick turnaround, from Wednesday night’s victory over Stocksbridge Park Steels, Trinity boss, Russ Wilcox again opted to name an unchanged starting eleven, with Club Captain Bobby Johnson champing at the bit and ready for action. The Holy Blues’ manager opting to keep faith in the side that have produced a sturdy defensive effort of late.

Will Lancaster saw his effort cleared off the line from Fraser Preston’s right sided corner just before the quarter hour, as the Holy Blues started on the front foot. And really looked to get at the visitors. Sisa Tuntulwana was a consistent outlet on the right hand side, but it was an injury to experienced left-sided defender Adam Crookes, that looked to turn the tide the way of the Staffordshire visitors.

Rushall controlling much of the first half, following he withdrawal of Crookes. Though not really troubling home ‘keeper, David Robson, as Lancaster provided a solid shield in front of the former Hull City stopper. On the half hour mark, Alex Moore went a whisker away from 25 yards out. After the Pics had pieced a move together. The Blues being made to sit deeper as the visitors came on strongly.

And when Jordan Helliwell gave away a freekick on the edge of the box, the industrious midfielder going into the Referee’s notebook, following a clever attack – Trinity found themselves a goal down. Deservedly taking the lead nine minutes before half time, centre back Jordaan Brown turned home at the back post from Carter Lycett’s deep freekick. It had looked like it had got too much on it, but Brown reacted first to guide the ball beyond Robson. The Holy Blues finding themselves a goal behind, like in the First Qualifying Round game, away at Corby.

Sam Whittall, one of only three survivors from the Pics’ side beaten in the FA Trophy last season, was dominating in the air & the goalscorer Brown, were making life difficult for Frank Mulhern and Jonny Margetts – as Trinity went in at the break, trailing by a goal to nil.

Half Time: Gainsborough Trinity 0 Rushall Olympic 1

Bobby Johnson was introduced at half time, replacing George Hornshaw in the middle of the park. As both teams traded corners in the opening five or six minutes of the half. It was Rushall who looked the more dangerous from set pieces though, as Kian Ryley mis-judged his contact six yards out from Carter Lycett’s ball in, before Roddy McGlinchey headed over when even better placed. And those missed chances would prove costly for Rushall.

Another Trinity injury saw Mulhern limp off, to be replaced by Aaron Simpson, as the defensive shackles were removed from Tuntulwana. And the all-action wrecking ball was released!

Substitute Simpson was immediately involved down the right. His cross looking for Margetts was well cut out by the visitors, but the change in momentum saw the Carlilse Street side begin to find their voices. Javelle Clarke then produced some strength and skill inside the centre circle, as he kept his composure under pressure. Working the ball out of Simpson – the right back’s delivery was again cut out.

Better use of the ball, by the home side, was seeing Rushall panic. Freekicks were being given away, and the Holy Blues were starting to ramp up the pressure. Sisa Tuntulwana, who was covering every blade of grass, made the run from right to left, and Johnson tried to picking him out. The flag was up against Tuntulwana, as the whistle blew and Sisa collided with the goalkeeper, who had the ball in his grasp. A yellow for the Trinity man – and the ‘keeper was back up on his feet again.

The caution didn’t slow Sisa down, soon back involved in the action, he was searched out by Preston. This time on the left hand side – he delivered into the box well – but once again the visitors stood firm. Preston firing over from 25 yards as the ball dropped kindly for the former Scotland youth international.

Ashley Jackson then got forward on the overlap and crossed in to the near post, where Tuntulwana appeared to get to the ball first, as Brown seemed to challenge him from behind. Sent tumbling to the ground, Mr Mason waved away the appeals for a Gainsborough penalty. Tuntulwana was awarded a freekick very soon after, the freekick taken by Preston.

His ball in from the left was delivered with pace & precision, and was powered home by the captain, Bobby Johnson. Rising highest, he powered home, planting an unstoppable header beyond Jezeph. Hauling Trinity level, with twelve minutes to play.

With a swagger, Clarke’s tail was up, as he released Helliwell down the left. Tuntulwana inches away from connecting with the ball into the middle. And Rushall hurriedly closing the door.

Aaron Bishop forced a rare attempt on goal, but despite Robson scrambling across his goal line, he wasn’t forced into a save. As the action then swung back Gainsborough’s way, Tuntulwana won another corner, and with Trinity appealing the ball had crossed the line – and had been handled on it’s way. The man in the middle stood resolute. Shaking his head as the noise cranked up.

Johnson then tried his luck with an ambitious half volley from twenty-five yards. Having gotten the bug with his first goal in a good while, he had the taste for it – but Dan Jezeph could watch that one sail over his bar.

As Trinity continued to search for the winner, Aaron Simpson crashed one off the top of the crossbar from six yards out, before another effort was hacked off the line – and in the third minute of added time, and at the third time of asking… the Referee pointed to the penalty spot.

The coolest man in the ground, Jonny Margetts, stepped up to fire home, completing the remarkable turnaround, as visiting Manager Ian Long saw red for the visitors. Rushall had competed ferociously, but couldn’t break down a stubborn Gainsborough defence, for a second time. And the incessant wave after wave of blue attacking intent, eventually reaped it’s rewards at the home of football, in Lincolnshire.

It’s fair to say – it wasn't an afternoon for the faint hearted, but Russ Wilcox’s Holy Blues gave their manager – and their fans – the perfect tonic, on his one hundredth game in charge: The name Gainsborough Trinity in the hat for the Third Qualifying Round draw, on Monday afternoon at 1pm

The Teams

Gainsborough Trinity: David Robson, Sisa Tuntulwana, Adam Crookes (Ashley Jackson 21) George Hornshaw (Bobby Johnson 46) Will Lancaster, Harrison Beeden, Javelle Clarke, Jordan Helliwell, Jonny Margetts, Frank Mulhern (Aaron Simpson 59), Fraser Preston
Subs not used: Ollie Sykes, Jacob McLoughlin, Dan Vanderpuye
Goals: Bobby Johnson 78’ Jonny Margetts 90+4’

Rushall Olympic: Daniel Jezeph, Roddy McGlinchey, Carter Lycett, Aurio Teixeira, Jordaan Brown, Sam Whithall, Liam McAlinden (Callum King-Harmes 88), Alex Moore (Fenton Heard 76) Anthony Dwyer (Aaron Bishop 81) Jack Burgess, Kian Ryley (Mitch Botfield 90)
Subs not used: Reece Hall, Dan Jarvis, & Jake Davies-Manton
Goal: Jordaan Brown 36’

Referee: Scott Mason
Man of the Match: Javelle Clarke
Attendance 498

Report written by Rob Hughes (@AATM_Media)
Images by Sean Cook (Foxby Media) & Tommy Cox