First defeat of 2026 for in-form Gainsborough Trinity
Gainsborough Trinity suffered a first defeat of 2026, going down by a single goal 1-0 away at Leek Town on Saturday.
The home side reeled off their third win in five games, as Russ Wilcox’s men missed an opportunity to close the gap on the top five in the pouring Staffordshire rain.
Wilcox freshened things up, with three changes from Tuesday night’s impressive 3-0 win away at Ashton United. Charlie Parks, Henry Brown & Frank Mulhern all started.
Ashley Jackson missed the game, serving his one game ban for his dismissal against Hednesford Town seven days before, with Sisa Tuntulwana and Fraser Preston, starting the game on the bench
Both sides saw first half chances come and go, including a goal line block by Trinity youngster Charlie Parks.
Thomas Curl was allowed too much time to drive forward from midfield, letting fly from 25 yards out, on a greasy surface, David Robson equal to it, gathering at the second attempt.
But four minutes from the interval, Leek found themselves in front after a moment of misfortune for young Grimsby Town loanee Henry Brown.
Seemingly injured, in a collision with Adam Porter, Porter immediately raised his concerns to the referee, who waved on the Trinity physio.
Brown was able to get back to his feet, but with the physio summoned, he was forced to leave the field, Leek taking full advantage – Porter himself firing home from Lucas Weir’s set piece.
The Trinity defence, and Robson, felt particularly aggrieved, the keeper feeling he was fouled by the scorer, with the ball in flight.
Three changes of personnel, and a change of shape for the Holy Blues, saw Wilcox shake things up, looking for some spark.
But Leek remained compact and resolute – not giving the visitors any real sighters of goal.
As the game ticked into stoppage time, Tuntulwana saw the headlines, but with Preston better placed – the ambitious effort didn’t have the desired effect.
In midweek Trinity had returned from their first away game of 2026, having completed the perfect night's work with three points, three goals and a clean sheet, in a dominant performance from first whistle to last.
A showing that was up there with the performances of the season, every player could take credit for their workmanlike attitudes, in and out of possession, making for the complete package.
Trinity settled into their stride straight away, not allowing the hosts time to find a rhythm - and an early goal quickly put Trinity in the driving seat.
Attacking the set piece delivery, Gainsborough seemingly wanted it more, the loose ball falling for Jonny Margetts, who took a touch before rifling high into the roof of Jordan Eastham's goal, on five minutes.
On 41 minutes when Trinity won a throw in the final third, Russ Wilcox’s men got a deserved second of the night.
First, Tuntulwana’s throw in was headed away. Sisa's cross was then blocked, before George Hornshaw swung over a quality ball that caught Eastham in two minds, that hesitation allowing Offler, still up from the back, to grasp the opportunity and steer home a cushioned header.
On 65 minutes Margetts added his second and Trinity's third of the night to seal matters.