Wilcox made one change to Saturday, Joe Stacey coming in for the injured Lewis Butroid. Butty having hobbled off at half-time. Returning George Hornshaw was again named amongst the substitutes, alongside new centre forward Jack McMenemy who was unveiled on Sunday, having signed from Lincolnshire neighbours, Lincoln United.
Fraser Preston had an early sighter on goal, but his twenty-five yarder was watched comfortably over his crossbar by the Whitby ‘keeper Shane Bland. Preston later seeing his free-kick from similar range rattling the shin-guards of Bland’s wall. Chances were at a premium in the first half, with Dylan Wharton rarely troubled. A couple of routine takes, Declan Howe forcing the best out of Shane Bland from an opportune angle, his early strike seeing Bland down to his right to deny the in form Trinity number ten.
Half Time: Whitby Town 0 Gainsborough Trinity 0
Save for a couple of routine stops by Dylan Wharton in goal for the Holy Blues, Trinity did well defensively to restrict Whitby to little in the way of chances. Wilcox’s men showing great composure to keep the ball and build through the thirds. Trinity started the half quickly, with Javelle Clarke coming in off the wing, though on target, his effort on goal was straight at Bland. Then, as Whitby struggled to clear their lines, Howe volleyed wide.
On the hour mark, 
a super spin on halfway, saw Joe Stacey’s turn of pace leave the Whitby defence in his wake, before squaring across the face of goal for Fraser Preston to tap home, as he arrived at the back post. Ashley Jackson struck the outside of the left hand upright, as he cut across the ball. His effort from range, shaving the paint from the post, at the opposite end to where he scored last season.
Scorer turned provider, ten minutes after the Trinity opener, when Preston played a clever reverse pass into the path of hotshot, Declan Howe. Trinity’s number ten needing no second invitation, rifling high past the helpless Shane Bland. Howe’s incredible tally extending to seventeen in just 21 games. The closing stages became littered with cards, and Trinity could, and perhaps should have added to their tally.
Jack McMenemy was introduced, for his debut off the bench. Bland was called into action again, five minutes from time, saving with his feet to deny Aaron Simpson, before McMenemy looked to make an impact. He looked to pick out the impressive Stacey, but a last-ditch Connor Smith interception prevented Stacey from adding the gloss.
Eight wins in nine on the road (including the penalty shootout victory over Hednesford Town, yes that needed to get another mention) really demonstrated the character of Russ Wilcox’s men, to go away from home and get the job done, despite the physically and mentally draining events just 72 hours before.
The Teams
Whitby Town: Shane Bland, Connor Smith, Aaron Haswell, Adam Gell, Frankie Whelan, Jassem Sukar, Campbell Darcy (Nathan Thomas 65) Priestley Griffiths (Sony Fergus 70) Connor Simpson, Stephen Walker, Joseph Gibson. Subs not used: Sam Collins, Alfie Jackson and Nicholas Cranston
Gainsborough Trinity: Dylan Wharton, Aaron Simpson, Ashley Jackson, Bailey Conway (Bobby Johnson 56) Will Lancaster, Dylan Cogill, Joe Stacey, Jordan Helliwell, Javelle Clarke (Sisa Tuntulwana 56) Declan Howe (Jack McMenemey 79) Fraser Preston (George Hornshaw 84). Subs not used: Kian Johnson.
Gainsborough Goals: Fraser Preston (60), Declan Howe (69)
Referee: Christopher Ellis
Attendance: 352