Miserable Tigers exit FA Cup

Tigers were beaten 1-0 at fellow Northern Premier League strugglers North Ferriby United in a poor match.

The Worksop side was missing loan players Dennis Sheriff and Nicky Gray, and Luke Sharry was on the bench having pulled up in midweek.

Michael Whitwell, Steve Gardner and Ben Turner, a former North Ferriby player, all came in.

A fairly pedestrian first 10 minutes came to life when a free-kick for the hosts fell to Gary Bradshaw, and the little forward smacked the ball just wide on the half volley.

Two minutes later a set-piece at the other end dropped to Joe Fox and he lashed a shot over the bar, but not by much.

Bradshaw had a go at goal after a foul by Turner 30 yards out, and despite a deflection Jon Worsnop was equal to it.

A nice ball from the centre of the park by Fox released Whitwell, and his cross was controlled by Turner then poked wide.

Sam Denton’s poor challenge on Mark Hudson on 25 minutes earned Worksop a free-kick just outside the area, and the player who was fouled brought a decent save from Steve Wilson.

Matthew Stirland went in the book for a late lunge on Luke Shiels, the full-back perhaps making more of it than strictly necessary.

With eight minutes left in the half Gardner got the best of Kevin Larvin in a 50:50 on halfway, found Shiels on the overlap inside the area but the youngster was unable to keep his shot down.

Another Bradshaw free-kick in a dangerous position tested Worsnop who was forced to palm over the bar, and the resulting corner was cleared - Cotterill making a brilliant challenge.

The second half was just three minutes old when a ball into the box allowed Greg Wright to drill a low shot under Worsnop and into the net for the opener.

Worksop had simply fallen asleep and a quick free-kick left them at sixes and sevens.

Martin McIntosh made a double change on 53 minutes, Sam Duncum taking Turner’s place on the left and Adam Muller replacing Michael Whitwell.

Worsnop had to be sharp to tip Sam Mulready’s curling free-kick over his crossbar, and then he was in action seconds later to clear the resulting corner despite some physical attention from the hosts.

Jackson went on a stirring run, beating a number of players down the right, but his attempted cut back wasn’t strong enough.

In what was Tigers best chance of the opening 65 minutes, Hudson slid the ball through for Duncum but he couldn’t get any power on his shot.

Mulready’s studs up challenge on Hudson earned him a yellow card, disgusting the home support.

Dangerman Bradshaw got up well to head at goal from a decent cross, but he directed the ball wide.

North Ferriby’s little striker then got in on goal from Fry’s header on the edge of the box and Tigers were relieved to see his dinked effort go past the post.

Tricky from Duncum took him past his marker and into the box, before he fed Jackson who should have done better with a shot that hit a defender.

Bradshaw’s pace took him away from Cotterillwho elected to clatter the forward, receiving a yellow for it. Gardner was also carded for dissent.

Worsnop kept Worksop in the tie with a stunning save from Bradshaw’s resulting dead ball.

A contentious couple of minutes saw Cotterill got nose to nose with Bradshaw after being fouled, then both teams chose to play on despite Sam Denton, then Jackson going down injured.

Danny Davidson made his long awaited debut for Worksop, replacing Cotterill with four minutes left on the clock.

With the 90 minutes played Fox looped a great ball over the top for Muller but the substitute wasted the chance.

The last action of the game was a Davidson shot that was well blocked, Worksop bowing out of the cup in disappointing fashion.