George Hornshaw started at full back, whilst Harrison Beeden returned at the heart of the defence, against his former side. Jonny Margetts started up top as Russ Wilcox named an attack minded eleven. Aaron Simpson made the matchday squad for the first time since New Year's Day, as versatile youngster, Jacob McLoughlin was the unfortunate one, missing out on a spot in the sixteen.

The hosts settled into the game quicker, firing off a couple of warning shots, Lewis Hawkins the home skipper shooting narrowly over from twenty yards, before Jonny Margetts, on his return to the starting eleven got into a good area, only to be robbed of the ball by Alex Nelson.

Beeden, back at the Towbar Express Stadium as a player for the first time since his departure, was called into action a couple of times in quick succession. The directness of Donald Chimalilo causing one or two problems, before H intervened. Conceding a corner, before heading it away.

Another break in behind from Margetts, saw him disposed by the recovering Nelson, who took a divot out of the penalty area in the process. Trinity's leading marksman just looking to cut back onto his right foot. Following in, Tuntulwana rasped an effort over the bar. Midway through the half, the Blues uncharacteristically switched off. Layton Watts' low corner found Tymon with time and space to finish past the exposed David Robson. Whether planned, or fortuitous, boss Wilcox would have been disappointed with the manner of thr goal conceded.

Coming forward again down the Trinity left, Beeden was bravely in the way, as home midfielder Adam Gell looked to get a shot away, his follow through catching Beeden as he cleared the danger. The Whitby man going into the notebook for his troubles.

Ten minutes before half time, Trinity's excellent travelling support were left wondering how thr visitors were not back on terms. Hornshaw and Tuntulwana combined brilliantly down the right. George's ball into the dangerzone was deftly flicked towards Isaac Allen's goal, and with an almighty scramble, Margetts just couldn't find the telling touch at the far post.

Jordan Helliwell was next to break in behind Whitby's high back line. Squaring invitingly across the goal, but Tuntulwana didn't seem to read the ball, and was caught back on his heels.

Next was Clarke to unlock the Seasiders' defence. Getting to the byline, his cut back was too strong for Margetts, his miskick falling kindly for Hornshaw 25 yards out. The full back's crisp low strike looked to be arrowing for the bottom corner, save for an important block that fell for Jackson. His strike through a congested area, gathered in by Allen. Both full backs looking to get up in support, as the visitors ramped up the pressure.

Popping up on the left this time, Tuntulwana leapt highest at the back post, to get on the end of Hornshaw's ball stood up to the back post. Inexplicably, the ball still wouldn't find a way in. But finally, as the half ticked into added time, Frank Mulhern helped the ball on. Frankie Whelaen misjudged his defensive header - and Sisa needed no second invitation. Racing clear - to go one on one with Allen. And putting the Holy Blues back on terms - and completely re-writing the half time team talks of the two respective managers.

Half Time: Whitby Town 1 Gainsborough Trinity 1

Charlie Parks was thrown into action, replacing centre back Jack Leckie. The teenage Lincoln City youngster settling in alongside Beeden at the heart of the Trinity backline. Again, the home side started the half brightly, and Trinity were indebted to Robson & Hornshaw slamming the door shut on Chimalilo. It was a similar opening to the one that Tuntulwana went close from, moments before he equalised. Robson did brilliantly to travel from near post to far, making the initial stop, before he & Hornshaw blocked out bravely.

Strong centre back Nelson then went into the book for the Seasiders. An over zealous challenge on skipper Lewid Butroid, not going unnoticed by the official. Seven minutes later, when going through the back of Margetts, he was given a final warning.

Grimsby loanee, Henry Brown & Aaron Simpson were brought on, with just under half an hour to play - but before they could adjust to the pace of the game, Robson was required to take flight. And he did just that - producing a stunning save to deny Watts. Tymon's knockdown was met purely on the volley by the Whitby number ten - and Robson sprung into action to turn the ball away.

Attempting to play out from the back, Whitby's Allen gifted the ball to Brown. As he cut inside & bore down on goal, he was challenged from three different angles, but still managed to squeeze an effort towards goal. Agonisingly it shaved the upright.

Slick football from the Holy Blues saw Brown get in behind, despite protests for offside, the flag stayed down and his cut back found Tuntulwana. His effort, deflected behind for a corner. Harrison Beeden appeared out of nowhere four minutes from the end of normal time, making a crucial match saving tackle. His intervention preventing a clear opening on goal.

And that gave Trinity the platform. Simpson and Williams, Preston & Brown all continued to probe. Whitby continued to put men behind the ball & make life difficult – and in the final throes of the game, the Seasiders were punished for not clearing their lines. And Ashley Jackson, with a wave of the left boot, caught a dipping, fading volley into the far corner. Beyond the unsighted Isaac Allen. And Trinity led for the first time on the night. Rising a place in the table and increasing the pressure on the play-off spots – and Saturday’s opposition: FC United of Manchester.

Dare the mighty Blues begin to dream? Twelve cup finals remain between now and the end of the season… Join the ride & see where we go next! Blue Army!

The Teams

Whitby Town: Isaac Allen, Connor Smith, Aaron Haswell, Alex Nelson (Nathan McGinley 81) Frankie Whelan, Adam Gell (Jarrett Rivers 69) Harley Dawson, Lewis Hawkins, Matt Tymon, Layton Watts, Donald Chimalilo (Ben Farrar 90+2)
Subs not used: Martin Woods, Nick Cranston
Whitby goal scorer: Matt Tymon 22’

Gainsborough Trinity: David Robson, George Hornshaw (Aaron Simpson 59) Ashley Jackson, Javelle Clarke (Henry Brown 59) Jack Leckie (Charlie Parks 46) Harrison Beeden, Lewis Butroid (Fraser Preston 74) Jordan Helliwell, Jonny Margetts (Theo Williams 74) Frank Mulhern, Sisa Tuntulwana
Gainsborough goal times: Sisa Tuntulwana 45+1, Ashley Jackson 90+4

Attendance 385

Report by Rob Hughes (@AATM_Media)
Images courtesy of Brian Murfield (Whitby Town Photographer)