Early double for Warrington Rylands sends Gainsborough Trinity tumbling to defeat

Keeping faith with the same 16 that had put in a sterling performance in the 1-0 away win at Ilkeston Town on Tuesday night, boss Russ Wilcox was left stunned as, after a bright start, the home side's first two entries into the Gainsborough box yielded goals that the Holy Blues never really looked like coming back from.

Dean Furman saw a 25 yard effort fly a yard past David Robson’s left hand upright, with the former Hull City keeper rooted to the spot.

But that was only to serve as a warning for the Holy Blues – a warning they didn’t heed.

Jake Burton’s neat turn and finish saw him open the scoring, before he turned provider.

A little clipped ball into the box found Burton, who in turn picked out George Waring. And from a tight angle, he squeezed the ball home, to give the hosts the dream start.

Waring’s flick on was then controlled by Adam Crookes. Crookes was then caught out by Burton, who thought he had done everything needed, but Ashley Jackson did superbly, clearing off the line to keep Trinity in the game.

Fraser Preston tried his luck from 20 yards out, his effort was beaten behind by Pilling, diving full length to his left.

But on the half hour mark, Trinity had one back. A Margetts-Clarke one two, saw Clarke get the better of Rylands’ centre back Holding.

Stronger than Holding, he composed himself well before centering for Margetts, who made no mistake, despite the presence of two blue shirts in the vicinity.

The goal gave Trinity confidence, but as half-time approached, the Holy Blues passed up the opportunity to enter the Warrington box. And with men committed forward, Rylands stung Gainsborough on the counter attack, Burton grabbing his second of the afternoon, in first half stoppage time.

Less than five minutes into the second half, Burton again asked questions of the Holy Blues. Finding a pocket of space, with little back-lift, he struck the underside of Robson’s crossbar.

Perhaps that was to be a turning point as, at the other end, Margetts twice went close in a matter of seconds, Pilling making a double block.

And when Pilling’s goal was breached by Crookes, he was saved by the assistant’s flag.

Waring then received his marching orders, for an alleged punch, thrown at Trinity full back Ashley Jackson, the off-the-ball altercation seeing the hosts reduced to 10 men.

Trinity looked to throw the proverbial kitchen sink at Rylands, but despite plenty of huff and puff, the Holy Blues rarely built any momentum.

And they were punished for some poor decision making, when South African Dean Furman was able to pick up the ball in midfield and drive 20 yards, before firing high past Robson to make it four.

There was still time for Gainsborough to get one more back.

Bobby Johnson’s set piece was headed back across goal by Lancaster and Harrison Beeden, on as substitute, competed at the back post and helped to bundle the ball beyond Pilling.

With six minutes of added time only just displayed, there was still the faintest hope that the unthinkable might happen - but ultimately, it wasn’t to be Trinity’s day.