Cables defeat leaves Trinity play-off chase going right down to the wire

Much depended on this one, and it was the side from Merseyside who held their nerve to take their relegation fight to the final day, Gainsborough slipping to seventh and now more than likely requiring a win and snookers on the final day, with rivals Stockton and Lancaster both boasting healthier goal differences.

Gainsborough were again without the services of leading scorer Jonny Margetts, though boss Russ Wilcox was able to call on vice captain Lewis Butroid.

The first half struggled to get going, Prescot taking the sting out of the game as Trinity looked to attack with the wind at their back.

Trinity couldn't exert any real pressure with a couple of snatched efforts scuffed goalwards, while Leckie had to come up with a last ditch challenge on Sharif Deans, stopping the wide man in his tracks as he came in off the Cables’ left.

Gainsborough were struggling to unlock a stubborn Prescot side, marshalled by veteran centre back Peter Clarke.

And the visitors looked more dangerous on the counter, full back Matthew Watters with room to narrowly fire across Robson in first half stoppage time.

Trinity's best chance of the game fell to Lewis Butroid after the break as he arrived on time to poke Tuntulwana’s long throw goalwards, Pradic spreading himself well to make the telling block at point blank range.

The first goal would have been vital if it had gone the way of Wilcox's men.

But as it was, it went the way of the visitors in the most bizarre of fashions.

A hopeful free kick was lofted into the box, George Hornshaw’s hurried clearance cannoning off the unfortunate Leckie and spinning beyond Robson.

Wilcox's Trinity did get back on level terms when another Tuntulwana throw was diverted past Pradic by his own centre back, Clarke, to momentarily lift the Blues back into the play-off spots.

But, much to the dismay of the watching Wilcox, 10 seconds after the restart, Cables retook the lead.

Aaron Simpson’s uncharacteristic slip saw Jack Goodwin with time to pick out the unmarked Tom Scully with a cross, and he sent his finish back past the exposed Robson to the delight of the visiting supporters gathered in the sunshine on the open terrace.

The home side chased but couldn’t find that vital equaliser, ultimately taking both side's seasons right down to the final day, both sides needing wins - and results elsewhere to go in their favour - for very different reasons.

The disappointing defeat also represented the Holy Blues' first back to back defeats of the campaign.

Trinity were the last team to have back to back defeats inflicted too.

It's just unfortunate that it has come at this stage in the season when the play-offs still remain a very real possibility, having only won one of their last seven games too.