Gainsborough Trinity dig in to hold EFL Doncaster Rovers to friendly draw
A determined defensive showing saw Gainsborough Trinity earn a 0-0 draw with League One Doncaster Rovers in their latest pre-season friendly at the Kal Group Stadium on Saturday.
Trinity acquitted themselves superbly on another humid yet blustery afternoon in the Lincolnshire sunshine.
New signing Elliott Whitehouse was named amongst the substitutes for the first time as Jacob McLoughlin was selected at right back.
In the absence of the unavailable Ashley Jackson, Harvey Sutcliffe showed his versatility as he slotted in expertly at left back.
A familiar trialist face was between the sticks too, backing up the defensive showing, as Theo Williams and Connor Brown were paired up top.
George Broadbent blazed a volley over the bar when he raced into the box and got on the end of a cross from the left. Leaning back - he couldn't find the net, and Tommy Simkin had to react quickly off his line to avert the opening.
Then 10 minutes from the break saw Trinity's best passage of play.
Sutcliffe surging inside, Lewis Butroid drifted out to the left and sent over a deep cross, searching out Brown who had peeled off around the back - the urgency and interplay was a flash of what the Blues could be capable of.
Ashton Offler replaced Jack Leckie at the break as the visitors continued asking questions of the Holy Blues.
Beeden and Hornshaw continued to throw bodies on the line and do the ugly side of the game, scrapping to keep Trinity in the match.
Helliwell was withdrawn after taking a knock, giving Whitehouse his first outing since his summer signing.
Nixon tried his luck with a thumping effort that was always rising, before Hornshaw and Sutcliffe did brilliantly on the defensive.
Entering the final 10 minutes, Wilcox took a look at a couple of trialists as Brown and Preston were replaced.
Hanlan flashed an inviting ball across the face of goal, but no one was up in support of the Doncaster attacker.
Byrne missed a glorious chance for the visitors, heading over unmarked, before Ayinde fashioned a shooting opportunity, but it was comfortable for the Trinity trialist between the sticks.
A couple of minutes from time, trialist No.17 looked to create room for himself down the right. Looking to centre, there was no one centrally for him to pick out. But the way he ghosted into space in his brief cameo was a pleasing offensive moment.
Offler was in the right place to clear off the line as time ticked towards 90 minutes, helping the ball up and over the bar with determined defensive resolve that demonstrated a desire not to be beaten.