Russ Wilcox started strongly with Robson behind Lancaster and Crookes paired at the heart of the defence flanked by Jackson & Simpson. The midfield quartet included Butroid, Johnson, Helliwell & Preston, with Clarke & Mulhern up top. Curtis Durose didn't feature in the squad, as he nurses a knock, while George Hornshaw is still away on a pre-arranged holiday. A trio of trialists made the bench, alongside Beeden, Tuntulwana & Margetts - and youngsters Sykes and (Billy) Housham.

Scunthorpe got the game underway & thought they had gotten off to a dream start, when on two minutes Declan Howe, making his return to the Northolme, reacted quickest to stab home from close range after XX had struck the upright. A delayed flag was eventually (correctly) raised, to ensure the scoreline remained level.

The Iron really did start the game strongly. Winning a flurry of early corners, but Wilcox's men stood up well to the bombardment - and had a great chance of their own on eight minutes. Will Lancaster dropping a superb ball in behind the Scunthorpe full back. Mulhern latched onto the ball, getting there ahead of Mason Campbell, but his lifted finish ended up the wrong side of the bar for the hosts.

Javelle and Frank were linking well, Clarke showing good strength to hold off his man before releasing. Mulhern. His first youcj creating the chance, but his shot not troubling Campbell. Trinity's shape was frustrating the higher ranked visitors. And despite having a sustained spell of pressure, Scunthorpe couldn't break down the Holy Blues - and were restricted to shooting from 35 yards - with little to show for their efforts.

Just past the half hour mark, Howe tried all he could to get on the end of a scuffed bouncing cross that came back into the box from the left hand side. Robson was comfortable though, calmly covering the frame of his goal.

At the other end Simpson got forward from full back and delivered a teasing ball that had Campbell beaten all ends up, with no one arriving, the ball was thumped behind for a rare Trinity corner Crookes go up highest, but his contact didn't trouble Campbell.

The Iron then finished the half strongly. Cal Roberts skidding an effort goalwards, but Robson had everything behind it, before Eze saw his attempt blocked.

Half Time: Gainsborough Trinity 0 Scunthorpe United 0

Trinity started the second half brighter, looking to press higher and put the higher ranked Iron under pressure. Clarke was working tirelessly up top, as the hosts looked to work a few nice passages of play.

Fraser Preston was growing more into the game, and he was able to scamper away down the right hand side. Fizzing a dangerous ball across the face of goal, the greasy surface adding extra zip, that was just crying out for a finishing touch.

Preston then took one too many touches as he composed himself. The angle went against the Gainsborough number eleven, but he still had the presence of mind to pull back for Jonny Margetts, on at half time. The seasoned striker seeing his shot from six yards out, blocked bravely.

The hosts again opened Scunthorpe up down the right hand side. This time Sisa Tuntulwana did well to trick his way to the by line, but his final ball had too much on it, before Preston curled a trademark effort narrowly over the bar from twenty-five yards after another composed build up.

At the other end, Mark Beck guided a header towards goal. But Robson was equal to it, holding the effort, despite the greasy surface. Tyler Denton then delivered from wide on the Scunthorpe left, but the header failed to hit the target, before Russ Wilcox's men got their noses in front.

Patient build up play was once again the order of the day. And Trialist D was able to swing in a delightful right-footed centre, from out on the left. The ball was zipped into the dangerous area - and Tuntulwana looked to get on the end of it, hoping to add to his goal on Tuesday night against Grimsby. When he failed to make contact, Brandon Horton looking to get round on the defensive cover, was also sliding in - and fully committed, on the rain soaked Northolme pitch - he could do nothing but watch as he diverted the ball past the helpless Rory Watson.

Margetts then did well to hold the ball up and win a freekick, in a good area. Lewis Butroid stepped up to take, but the former Iron couldn't test the former Blue in goal for the opposition. And it was much the same at the other end, when Scunthorpe's recent signing, Billy Chadwick, couldn't hurt his former side from a set-piece in a good area.

Tuntulwana had the final opportunity of the ninety minutes, when Ashley Jackson stood a ball up brilliantly to the back post. Arriving late, Sisa got up well and directed his header down into the ground, the ball bouncing up onto the crossbar, with Watson one relieved man. The offside flag going up as Jackson looked to keep the pressure on, the roving full back having continued into an offside position after delivering his cross.

A top performance from Russ Wilcox's men against the side he enjoyed great success with as a Manager, Player and Assistant, as the Holy Blues look to make positive strides to the opening game of the Pitching In Northern Premier League. With the fixtures now out, Trinity know they welcome Ashton United to the Kal Group Stadium on Saturday 9th August.

Before that though, Trinity welcome a young Lincoln City XI to the Northolme on Wednesday evening. 7.30pm kick off. And you can buy your match tickets online for that one, here.

Match report written by Rob Hughes (@AATM_Media)
Images by Tommy Cox (Album).