With both Aaron Simpson and Adam Crookes suspended for the game, Russ Wilcox was delighted to welcome Lewis Butroid and Bobby Johnson back into the starting eleven. Charlie Parks started alongside Harrison Beeden at the heart of the Trinity back line. Trinity looked to press from the front and almost had the dream start, in the most bizarre of fashions, on seven minutes. Centre back, Dan Myers looked to go back to his goalkeeper, completely mis-judging his keepers' proximity. The ball hitting the side netting. Bobby Johnson got up highest from Fraser Preston's corner, but couldn't direct his header down.

The visitors played some nice football. Intricate approach play including a Jonny Margetts - Frank Mulhern one - two almost unlocked the Morpeth defence. But the final ball just alluded the Blues. Midway through the half, Will Dowling floated a freekick into the box, that was met by Josh Robson, rising highest. But he too couldn't direct his header on target. A let off for the Blues. Before at the other end Margetts lofted narrowly over, with the offside flag raised.

Just past the half hour mark, Morpeth opened the scoring. Dowling had tried his luck from range. His long distance effort taking a slight deflection that Robson got everything behind. Cleared behind for a corner, the Highwaymen continued to mount some pressure. The Blues seemed to deal comfortably enough with the first ball, but failed to clear the defensive lines and Frankie Coulson was afforded too much time and space. Cutting in off the left, he looked to curl and effort towards the back post. Glancing off the unfortunate Bobby Johnson, on its way to kissing the far post and spinning beyond the despairing Robson.

Margetts forced a save from Allen, less than five minutes after going behind. The experienced forward would have been disappointed not to have taken the chance. As Henderson headed the ball behind for a corner kick, as it looped up off the 'keeper. Straight after, Margetts' chance, Butroid delivered from the left. His corner kick fell invitingly for Jonny - but he couldn't guide the ball on target.

Clarke volleyed a yard wide, as both wing backs were involved. Ash Jackson, crossing from the left, saw his delivery punched away, by Allen, under pressure. Javelle taking a touch, and lining up his volley- which wasn't far wide. The Holy Blues having to settle with going in at the break, a goal behind, and with it all to do.

Half Time: Morpeth Town 1 Gainsborough Trinity 0

The Holy Blues were seeing a lot more of the ball in the second period. But Henderson and Myers were proving fierce competitors. Preston tried his luck from range, but Margetts on the follow up was edged out. Mulhern then tried his luck from 25 yards out, but Allan was down smartly to his left to keep the hosts with their noses in front. Trinity had probed well, keeping the ball and fashioning an opening - but Wilcox was ready to roll the dice.

Making a double substitution, he switched Margetts and McLoughlin for Tuntulwana and Helliwell. And Sisa immediately offered something different. Within moments of his introduction, he caused panic at fhe heart of the Morpeth defence. Looking to nip between centre back and goalkeeper, Henderson came off worse as the 'keeper collided with the experienced defender. The ball going behind for a Trinity corner.

After prolonged treatment for Henderson, he was helped from the field. Mulhern heading over from the resulting corner. The Holy Blues continued to press, becoming increasingly frustrated by the hosts attempts to kill the game. And some questionable decisions that saw Clarke for Trinity and Luke James for Morpeth booked for sweet nothings. And as the hosts continued to run down the clock, you could be forgiven for thinking, it wasn't going to be our night...

And to much bemusement from the visiting bench, only four minutes added time was indicated. But, summoning that inner strength, Wilcox's men rallied again. And if at first Butroid’s centre did not succeed, he tried again - and at the second attempt his left wing centre found Mulhern who finished past Issac Allan, to the delight of the hardy Trinity faithful gathered behind the goal. The first goal scored by a Gainsborough player at Craik Park - and no less than the boys deserved for their efforts. The draw halting Morpeth's run at four home wins on the bounce.

Trinity's next game doesn't get any easier though. Another side bang in form are next on the horizon. Warrington Town's home form has been nothing short of exemplary. In stark contrast to their away form. Canteliver Park - on Saturday. Trinity's next destination. Let's see as many Blues as possible - making the journey!

The Teams

Morpeth Town: Isaac Allan, Rhys Evans, Josh Robson, Dan Myers, Jeff Henderson (James Huntley 73) Dom Martins, Aaron Chungh (Josh King 60) Mitch Hancox, Luke James, Will Dowling, Frankie Coulson. Subs not used: Dan Langley, JJ Hooper, Nic Bollado.

Report by Rob Hughes (@AATM_Media)