As Trinity made just the one change from the 1-1 draw with Rushall. Lewis Butroid’s enforced absence, having hobbled off in stoppage time at the weekend, saw him replaced by Javelle Clarke. Wilcox tweaking the formation slightly to accommodate the more attack minded Clarke.

And inside the first two minutes, it was Clarke who had a glorious chance to open the scoring for the Holy Blues, when Jonny Margetts did well down the left. Cutting the ball back to the edge of the box - Clarke didn't have to check his stride- but side-footed the wrong side of the upright. Ewan Bange had a half sighter, after Jamie Allen got to the byline line for Brig, his pull back was prodded goalwards by the ex-Blackpool, Radcliffe & Hyde centre forward, but David Robson was able to smother.

At the other end, as the wind howled & the rain lashed down into the Trinity faces, Margetts did very well up against the experienced Nat Knight-Percival. Dispossessing him, he motored in towards goal off the right- hand side. With the angle against him, he did well to get his shot away - but Aidan Dowling got the block in & Isaac Abankwah had retreated to clear off his own goal line, as the ball trickled towards goal.

Emerich Poilly tried his luck, wind-assisted, from 25 yards out. Jack Leckie standing firm to block. Before at the other end, Theo Williams was bright. Winning the ball back he looked for Margetts, who in turn found Clarke - but Javelle couldn't commit his man. And the opportunity was gone.

Leckie was trying to get on the end of Fraser Preston's set pieces, while at the other end, Harrison Beeden was solid at the heart of the Gainsborough defence, repelling the Brig threat.

Aaron Simpson was looking to get forward down the right, linking with Preston - the attacking midfielder working a shooting chance, but not working Dowling. Williams again was involved, as. A neat give and go down the right, saw Theo looking to centre, winning a corner. Brig counterattacked quickly. Archie Lang driving the visitors forward. Ultimately over running the ball, and Robson was able to swoop in to claim.

From a tight angle, Margetts flashed wide of the near post, as he again found himself with room inside the box, before Preston created himself a yard of room in the area. He was denied by the feet of Dowling. As the half drew to a close, Preston bulldozed through a couple of challenges. Taken down, he was quickly back to his feet, but he didn't spot Clarke to his right.

On the stroke of half time, muted Trinity appeals were dismissed. Margetts going to ground under pressure from Abankwah. The sides going in level at the break - but would the Blues be made to run not having made the most of their first half chances?

Half Time: Gainsborough Trinity 0 Bamber Bridge 0

With the wind now at the Holy Blues' back, Trinity could be forgiven for thinking they had the tools to cause Bamber Bridge problems. Williams' pace saw him get in behind down the right. His cut back finding Jonny six yards out, but he was denied by Dowling, who got lucky with the ball cannoning back into his path, from close range.

At the other end, Kofi Moore peeled off at the back post. And the deep cross from the right found the winger. Taking two bites at the cherry, Beeden was in the right place to clear the latter attempt off the line & keep the score-line level.

Second favourite, Preston did well to win the ball back in a dangerous area, but that final pass had too much on it, with Margetts in space, centrally.

Midway through the half, Brig grabbed the all important goal. Kofi Moore, on the right, was afforded too much time and space, to turn inside. His cross-shot taking a wicked deflection, deceiving Robson & ending up in the back of the net. The goal had an element of misfortune about it and was an ugly goal to concede. Giving the visitors something to hold on to - and Trinity a mountain to climb. The substitutions primed by Wilcox then came, looking reactionary, the goal really coming at the wrong time for the Blues. Frank Mulhern & young Henry Brown thrown into the fray with a rescue mission in hand.

Despite the freshening up, Trinity created very little in the final quarter of the game, Bamber Bridge closing out the game save for one stop for the visiting 'keeper: Dowling who was forced to take flight, ten minutes from time, leaping to his right to palm away Leckie's powerful header from Preston's freekick.

And it was perhaps Brig who had the best chance to add to the scoreline as Lang released substitute Harry Benns, he was halted by Robbo, but following in, Bange couldn't find a way past the impressive Beeden, again back on his line, to stop the game slipping further from Gainsborough's grasp. The Holy Blues made to pay for the missed chances in the first half & a momentary defensive lapse that stopped the side sneaking back into the play-off places. Something a point would have done, with FCUM/ Stockton once again falling victim to a late postponement.

The disappointment of Tuesday night defeat must now be put to the back of our minds. As Saturday's visit of Warrington Rylands comes boldly into focus. Victory would see Trinity leapfrog the Cheshire based side and still have a game in hand... it's not over, until it's over! Keep the faith Blue Army!

The Teams

Gainsborough Trinity: David Robson, Aaron Simpson, Ashley Jackson, George Hornshaw, Jack Leckie, Harrison Beeden, Javelle Clarke (Henry Brown 70) Jordan Helliwell, Jonny Margetts (Frank Mulhern 70) Theo Williams, Fraser Preston (Ashton Offler 90)
Subs not used: Harvey Sutcliffe & Jacob McLoughlin

Bamber Bridge: Aidan Dowling, Isaac Abankwah (Jack Baxter 64) Jeff Adubofour, Chris Churchman, Nathaniel Knight-Percival, Archie Lang, Jamie Allen, Emerich Poilly, Jordan Hodkin (Harry Benns 77) Ewan Bange (Olly Molloy 86) Kofi Moore
Subs not used: George Gryba & Michael Potts

Referee: Waqar Ahmed
Attendance: 378

Match Report by Rob Hughes (@AATM_Media)
Images by Sean Cook (@FoxbyMedia)