Russ Wilcox was without Theo Williams through injury & the ill Jacob McLoughlin. That lead to a recall for Fraser Preston & a debut for Ashton Offler at the back. Sisa Tuntulwana slotted in at right wing back, as Charlie Parks started on the bench. The shift of Tuntulwana meaning a return to the forward line for Jonny Margetts. Centre back Harrison Beeden was back in the matchday sixteen, complete with facemask - positive news for the Holy Blues, as the squad goes from strength to strength.

Trinity settled into their stride straight away, not allowing the hosts time to find a rhythm - and the early goal quickly put Trinity in the driving seat. Attacking the set piece delivery, Gainsborough seemingly wanted it more. The loose ball falling for the man you would want it to fall to inside the six yard box: Jonny Margetts. He took a touch before rifling high into the roof of Jordan Eastham's goal, on five minutes.

The Holy Blues' high energy pressing was forcing errors. And the quick turnover of possession saw Trinity looking dangerous, but David Robson still had to be alert. Diving to his left to tip Willem Tomlinson's deflected low drive around the post. There was a pause in play, as Javelle Clarke was unwell on the pitch - but you'd certainly not have thought it - before - or after. Clarke having a great game, all over the park.

And when Trinity won a throw in the final third, Russ Wilcox’s men got a deserved second of the night. First, Tuntulwana’s throw in was headed away. Sisa's cross was then blocked, before George Hornshaw swung over a quality ball, that caught Eastham in two minds. Thst hesitation allowing Offler, still up from the back, to grasp the opportunity and steer home a cushioned header - to double the Gainsborough tally.

Two could quickly have become three, when Clarke was denied by the home 'keeper, getting down low to his left. Trinity having to settle for just thr two at the interval.

Half Time: Ashton United 0 Gainsborough Trinity 2

Josh Doherty was subbed off at half time for the hosts, forcing Louis White into a more unfamiliar role. It meant Enock Luisama could play further forward. And he proved to be a rare bright spot for the Robins, though White failed to get to grips with Tuntulwana. Cutting in off the right, SIsa went close on a couple of occasions, close to adding to the Trinity tally - and to adding to his seven goals in all competitions.

The yellows got bodies behind the ball, and following a defensive scramble, Jack Leckie & Robson combined to spirit the ball away. At the other end Margetts went close to netting his second of the night after good play by Preston on the right - but he got his finish all wrong. Fortunately for Trinity & Margetts, the free-flowing visitors didn't take long to create again & Jonny didn't have time to reflect for too long on his miss. Adding his second and Trinity's third of the night.

Margetts nearly wrapped up his own personal treble, when a corner was only partially cleared to the edge of the box. A punchy volley not landing far wide of the target. A brilliantly improvised finish, threatening to lift the mood still further. Flashing wide of the upright, clipping the post and leaping highest forcing another save from Eastham, Tuntulwana just couldn’t quite manage to find a way past the Robins' goalkeeper..

Late substitute, Mikey O'Neill, shot tamely at the Gainsborough goal, but it was a relatively routine take for Robson. And with that, he and his Trinity defensive unit chalked up their twelfth clean sheet of the campaign. An impressive total. The joint most clean sheets in the division - and a tally he & the Blues will be determined to add to, between now and the end of the season. Starting on Saturday perhaps? Away at Leek Town - in NPL Match 25 - for Russ Wilcox's Gainsborough Trinity, Blue Army!

The Teams

Ashton United: Jordan Eastham, Luke Burke, Josh Doherty (Enock Lusiama 46) Sean Newton, Louis White, Dylan Cogill, Alex Byrne, Callum Rowe (Luca Navarro 69) Jason Gilchrist (Darius Osei 69) Willem Tomlinson, James Hardy (Mikey O'Neill 69)
Sub not used: Tom Denton
Ashton booking: Sean Newton (Dissent)

Gainsborough Trinity: David Robson, Sisa Tuntulwana, Ashley Jackson, Ashton Offler, Jack Leckie, George Hornshaw, Lewis Butroid, Jordan Helliwell (Charlie Parks 82) Jonny Margetts, Javelle Clarke (Frank Mulhern 67) Fraser Preston (Henry Brown 87)
Subs not used: Harrison Beeden & Ollie Sykes
Gainsborough bookings: Javelle Clarke (foul) Jack Leckie
Gainsborough goals: Jonny Margetts 5 & 65, Ashton Offler 41

Report by Rob Hughes (@AATM_Media)
Images by Aidan Hunter