Making two changes to the side that had battled valiantly on Tuesday night, away at table-topping Macclesfield, Russ Wilcox recalled Lewis Butroid and Fraser Preston to the starting line up, with Arron Braithwaite and Joe Stacey starting on the bench. Bobby Johnson was named amongst the substitutes, which again included seventeen year old goalkeeper, Ollie Sykes.

In a half where the Quakers dominated possession, Trinity defended resolutely, making life difficult for the higher ranked opponents. Darlington regularly coming forward down their left, through much-travelled Scott Barrow, Joe Leesley and Matty Cornish, but Aaron Simpson, Jordan Helliwell and Lewis Butroid worked tirelessly to stop the supply line to the dangerous Jack Maskell. A prolific scorer, who joined Darlo from Dunston UTS in the summer. For large parts, he was well shackled by Dylan Cogill and Will Lancaster at the heart of the Trinity defence, who in fairness were well protected too.

Every single player in blue, putting a real shift in for Wilcox – and the fantastic number of travelling Trinity supporters that got behind the team throughout. Dylan Wharton picked up an injury midway through the first half, as he raced out of his area to clear the danger, with Maskell chasing, the shot-stopper seemed to land oddly. Patched up, his mobility appeared to be seriously impeded. But he would be able to continue.

Darlington changed the axis of their attack, having been repelled by the stubborn Gainsborough defence. Opting to raid down their right, the Gainsborough left, and when Jarrett Rivers (who has FA Cup pedigree with Blyth Spartans and the hosts) got to the byline, his cut back found Maskell, but Wharton did brilliantly to block from point blank range – there was nothing he could do with the follow up, as Will Hatfield, the living Darlington legend, was arriving on time to sweep the ball into the opposite corner, to give Wharton no chance.

The goal woke the home support, but also sparked the Holy Blues into offensive life, and having fell behind, Trinity enjoyed their best attacking period of the half, cumulating in the equaliser just four minutes after going behind. Butroid’s right wing corner was kept away from the towering defenders, and Howe was able to free himself from the shackles of Toby Lees, to score with a well-timed diving header, that was celebrated with some vigour by the Trinity faithful gathered together, at the opposite end of the ground.

Half Time: Darlington FC 1 Gainsborough Trinity 1

The second half continued in much the same vain as the first, with Darlington retaining the bulk of possession, with the Holy Blues compact, organised and efficient. Every player to a man, putting in a shift. And restricting the hosts to very little in the way of shots on target. Wharton was only really called into action to claim a few balls slung into his box – and Bailey Conway was alert to danger when he headed away well under pressure to protect his side’s goal.

With the game finely poised, Trinity were in with a shout – and so - for the final quarter of the game, Wilcox rolled the dice. He switched things up. Replacing Javelle Clarke, with the towering Josiah Dyer. The big Barnsley loan man offering something a little different. He posed an almost instant impact, as he occupied the mind of the home defence. And that gave scorer Howe the chance to race away down the right, the former Darlo man looking to fire a ball across the box, that Jameson did well to parry away from danger, with Dyer lurking.

Darlington were really looking to take the fight to Gainsborough, but lacked any real penetration, as the blue shirts gave their all to protect their goal. And the hosts, who had been comfortable playing the ball about at the back, took one chance too many, with Jordan Halliwell sniffing out the danger, dispossessing Toby Lees and finding Dyer. Butroid, who had minutes earlier, been suffering with the affects of cramp, managed to shake off those ails – and race into the box, shooting across the ‘keeper, to give the visitors the lead, for the first time in the game. And a lead that the team could hold on to.

Darlington looked to throw everything at Trinity for the final few minutes, but Wharton came out – and dominated his area well – and the higher ranked opposition were unable to find that elusive equalising goal. And with that, the Holy Blues secured their safe passage to the Fourth Qualifying Round. That’s when the Vanarama National League sides come into the competition. The final stage before the league clubs enter. Can Russ Wilcox’s men navigate another round, and boost the kitty even more? A share of the 1,256 gate, plus the incrementally increasing prize money soon to banked, things are looking positive for the Gainsborough Trinity boys!

Now, to see who the draw pits us against, on Monday – but then focus will turn to the next game. Another competition, but another away game… as the Blues head down the A14 to take on Southern Premier League Central side, Kettering Town, at their Latimer Park, home.

The Teams

Darlington FC: Peter Jameson, Scott Barrow, Toby Lees, Matty Cornish, Will Hatfield, Jack Maskell, Will McGowan, Alex Payne, Jarrett Rivers, Andy Evans, Joe Leesley.

Gainsborough Trinity: Dylan Wharton, Aaron Simpson, Ashley Jackson, Bailey Conway, Will Lancaster, Dylan Cogill, Lewis Butroid, Jordan Helliwell, Javelle Clarke (Josiah Dyer 71) Declan Howe, Fraser Preston (Aaron Braithwaite 80). Subs not used: Ollie Sykes, Joe Stacey.

Gainsborough Goals: Declan Howe (41) Lewis Butroid (87)
Gainsborough Bookings: Javelle Clarke and Declan Howe
Darlington Goal: Will Hatfield (37)
Darlington Booking: Jack Maskell
Attendance: 1,256
Referee: Mr Alex Beckett

Report by Rob Hughes (@AATM_Media)
Images by Dave Arrowsmith (Darlington Official Photographer)