Margetts was a welcome boost to the starting eleven, that saw the unfortunate George Hornshaw miss out. The striker, the only change from the side beaten seven days earlier by Hednesford. Lewis Butroid was also back from injury, but he had to make do with a spot on the bench as he continues his return to full fitness.

Trinity in the their yellow change shirt looked lively in the opening exchanges. A burst from Jordan Helliwell had Dunston on the back foot. His early ball into the feet of Margetts was lashed half a yard over the bar from twelve yards out. Neat Trinity traingles saw Fraser Preston slide in Sisa Tuntulwana on the left, but an untimely slip saw the opportunity go. Javelle Clarke then did well to find Preston in the ‘D’ but he was unable to generate any power into his effort.

Midway through the half, Will Lancaster stepped out from the back. Going on a mazy run, Trinity appeared to get an element of good fortune. Looking to play the ball out to the left, a Dunston player challenged the Gainsborough man. And the ball fell for Jonny - to his right – in an offside position. Like all good strikers, he put the ball in the net. Questions to be asked afterwards. With the flag up, Trinity felt the ball had been diverted into Margetts’ path by a home defender. And after consultation with his Assistant, the man in the middle agreed with that consensus & the goal was awarded.

Wil Shaw responded with an effort of his own for Dunston. But he struck straight at David Robson after escaping from the shackles of two Trinity midfielders. Clarke was finding pockets of space, and he saw his effort take a deflection and loop up towards the far post. And Jude Swailes had to be alert. Clearing away for a corner, as Tuntulwana arrived at the far post. Swailes colliding with the upright in the process. Trying to soldier on, he came back on, following treatment, but he wouldn’t see out many more minutes, before being replaced by Fin Neary.

Preston’s corner was swung in towards Bobby Johnson, who looked to sweep a volley goal-wards, but his contact was too clean as his effort sailed over the bar. Helliwell darted forwards down the left. Finding Preston with the clever ball inside. Fraser flashing a ball across the face of goal, that Tuntulwana couldn’t poke towards goal. Margetts arriving late – couldn’t find the telling touch either. As he was closed out by two Dunston defenders at the back post. His effort deflecting into the side netting.

Half Time: Dunston UTS 0 Gainsborough Trinity 1

With nothing to lose, the hosts came out looking to find a way back into the game. Dan Turner swung in a dangerous ball from the Duts’ left hand side, but Harrison Beeden and Will Lancaster marshalled David Robinson well to clear the danger away. Chris McDonald was looking to turn the ball in behind the yellows, but again, Lancaster was alert to the danger.

Neary then did well to swing in a dangerous ball from the Gainsborough left, but Ashley Jackson was in position to bravely block at the back post. Throwing himself in front of JJ O’Donnell’s effort. McDonald tried to play in O’Donnell, before Robinson, leaning back, fired over the bar. Dunston continuing to press for an equaliser. Phill Turnbull then wafted a freekick into the Trinity box, that was repelled, Turner scuffing his shot, as it fell for the Dunston man 25 yards out.

A quick throw in nearly caught Trinity out, when Lancaster, Simpson and Johnson all failed to clear the defensive lines. And Shaw got an effort away that whistled a whisker wide of Robson’s right hand upright. Turnbull’s corner then saw more dogged defending from the Holy Blues, but the ball back in found centre back Tom Devitt with space in the six yard box. But he failed to make a telling contact, finding Robson with a weak effort.

Wilcox made a double change on 65', replacing Tuntulwana & Preston with Jacob McLoughlin & Lewis Butroid. And with that, Trinity got the vital second goal. Lancaster, Beeden & Jackson worked the ball from right to left along the back line, before Jackson found Butroid hugging the left hand touchline. Able to get on the half turn, his chipped ball into the path of Margetts sent the striker away down the left channel. And unselfish, Jonny squared for strike partner Clarke to turn home from close range. Doubling the Gainsborough advantage. And giving Russ Wilcox’s men valuable breathing room.

O’Donnell continued to exude quality on the ball for the hosts, looking to unlock the visiting Gainsborough backline. Margetts was working hard up top, looking to give Trinity an out ball. And with Helliwell’s energy getting him up in support of the forwards, he just wasn’t able to hit the target from an acute angle.

Trinity thought they had a third, when Margetts rolled home following a clever move down the left hand side. Jackson, Butroid and the impressive Helliwell again involved. Determined Dunston defending and a fortuitious decision, saw that one ruled out though, and the hosts pressed again. Turner leaning back couldn’t apply the finishing touch to a neat and tidy Dunston build up.

As the hosts continued to throw everything at the Holy Blues, Gainsborough failed to deal with a freekick from the right. Swung in by McDonald, Trinity threw bodies in front of the ball, but couldn’t clear the danger & the ball sat up invitingly for Wil Shaw to volley through a crowded box - and Robson couldn't react until it was past him.

The home side sensed a way back into the tie – and with the game ticking into four additional minutes of added time, Dunston felt they could take the game to what had seemed an unlikely replay. And when UTS were awarded a freekick in a dangerous position to the left of centre, it was JJ O'Donnell who stood over the ball. His freekick up and over the wall - was destined for the bottom corner - but for the heroics of Robson - diving full length to his right to turn the ball behind for a late, late corner. The visitors holding firm to book their place in Monday's Fourth Qualifying Round draw - just one victory away from the entry of the Football League sides...

The Holy Blues can start to dream. Just a little.

For now, Russ Wilcox’s men turn their attention to the premier non-league cup competition. The Isuzu FA Trophy. Saturday sees the Holy Blues welcome Shifnal Town to the Kal Group Stadium, in a first ever meeting between the sides. And the Shropshire-based side shouldn't be underestimated, having pushed Hednesford all the way in the cup last season!

The Teams

Dunston UTS: Dan Lowson, Harvey Neary, Chris McDonald, Phill Turnbull (JJ Chrisp 80), Jude Swailes (Fin Neary 39) Tom Devitt, Dan Turner, Rory Edwards (Harry Gardiner 66) Josh Donaldson (JJ O’Donnell 45+3) David Robinson, Wil Shaw
Subs not used: Michael Pearson & Elliot Stephenson
Dunston goal: Wil Shaw 90’

Gainsborough Trinity: David Robson, Sisa Tuntulwana (Jacob McLoughlin 65) Ashley Jackson, Bobby Johnson, Will Lancaster, Harrison Beeden, Aaron Simpson, Jordan Helliwell, Jonny Margetts, Javelle Clarke, Fraser Preston (Lewis Butroid 65)
Subs not used: Ollie Sykes, Dan Vanderpuye, Jakub Krysznski & George Hornshaw
Gainsborough goals: Jonny Margetts 21’, Javelle Clarke 73’

Match Report by Rob Hughes (@AATM_Media)
Photographs by Tommy Cox