BLUES TAKE CARE OF PLUCKY WOODLEY

GAINSBOROUGH progressed to the final qualifying round of this season's FA Cup after overcoming the challenge from lower grade opponents.

Unibond League First Division outfit Woodley were not taken lightly by Paul Mitchell's side after the Steelmen had accounted for Trinity's league rivals Leigh RMI in the previous round.

With Woodley's artificial turf surface not approved for FA Cup ties, the fixture was played at The Northolme, Gainsborough supporters having to get used to their team playing in their change strip of all yellow.

Trinity had leading scorer Ryan Mallon still sidelined through injury, Wes Parker continuing in a makeshift striker role to accompany Jamie Smith in attack.

But it was wide player Eric Graves who calmed Gainsborough nerves with a well-taken goal after sixteen minutes to give his side the edge.

Danny Anson found Graves on the left flank and the former Burton Albion man shook off the challenge of Russell Headley before firing home a low angled drive through a crowded penalty area which eluded Woodley goalkeeper Liam Higginbotham.

Five minutes later Parker was through on his own with only Higginbotham to beat, but the latter spread himself well to concede a corner.

Trinity weres forced to make a change midway through the half when skipper Danny Wood was helped off with a cut ankle, Matty Caudwell taking over the wing back role.

Central defender Richard Pell had a number of opportunities to increase his team's lead from set pieces, Higginbotham making two heroic saves to deny him whilst on the third occasion as he rose to a Ben Purkiss corner team mate Smith unwittingly prevented Pell from getting full contact on his header.

Woodley threatened only rarely during the first half, Adam Sollitt dealing capably with efforts from Daniel Douglas-Pringle and leading scorer Adam Morning.

The Steelmen tried to up the tempo after the break, Nick Ellis conceding a corner from Morning's free kick with Parker eventually clearing Mario Sergio-Daniel's cross, whilst at the other end midfielder Sam Lancaster fired across the face of goal and Lee Wright was relieved to clear a dangerous cross from Charlie Trout.

On 57 minutes a twisting header from Parker arrowed wide from Caudwell's cross and two minutes later Woodley spurned their best chance for an equaliser.

Douglas-Pringle was deemed onside as he rushed towards goal but with only Sollitt to beat the Trinity goalkeeper stood tall to parry the shot.

Moments later a huge clearance from Sollitt found Parker, and although his first touch was found wanting the former Grimsby man was given time and space to recollect the ball, firing a shot inches over the crossbar.

With Woodley playing four up front for the last ten minutes, Gainsborough had a number of chances to make sure on the counter attack, Bett miscuing badly from a Parker flick on with six minutes to go.

But he finally made the game safe in stoppage time with a diving header from a Graves cross to put the task beyond the reach of their plucky opponents.

WOODLEY: Higginbotham, Headley (sub Boothby 84 mins), Crank, Young, Phillips, Wright, Sergio-Daniel, Curley, Queeley (sub Salmon 71 mins), Douglas-Pringle, Morning. Subs not used: Gee, Haslam.

GAINSBOROUGH: Sollitt, Purkiss, Wood (sub Caudwell 25 mins), Ellis, Pell, Lancaster, Trout, Anson, Smith (sub Bett 72 mins), Parker, Graves. Subs not used: Vo, Thorpe, Lill.

REFEREE: Mr A Scregg (Liverpool)