Chris Swailes was forced to re-shuffle his back four ahead of his sides encounter away to Newcastle Benfield in the preliminary round of The Emirates FA Cup.

Despite been without the services of Terry Galbraith (ankle injury), Michael Hall (suspended) and Captain Craig Scott (unavailable), Swaz was still able to name strong side against the Northern League side and had plenty of options available on the bench.

Dunston had the first effort of the game. A free kick pushed away by Grainger, following an early yellow card for Benfield’s Abu Salim for a foul on Jack Elliott.

Veteran goal-scorer Paul Brayson flashed a chance narrowly wide for the hosts from a dangerous cross by former Dunston player Richie Slaughter.

For the first 15 minutes there seemed to be little between the two sides.

Benfield’s Connor Walker fired an effort just wide for “The Lions” following another good move from the hosts.

With half an hour played, Dunston had a good opportunity to open the scoring. Dan Capewell released Luke Porritt, who having got in behind his marker and with Lee Mason free in the middle, the winger was unable to get his cross beyond the clutches of Grainger.

Mason opened on 30 minutes and claimed his first competitive goal in a Dunston shirt. Picking up on a loose ball, a pinpoint pass from Jake Stafford found Mason. The forward beat the off-side trap and coolly slotted the ball beyond an advancing Grainger.

That goal was enough to separate the two sides as Dunston went into the break with a slender lead.

The first action of the second half saw Jake Stafford hit the Benfield post from an acute angle as the way side upped the pressure.

Lee Mason claimed his second of the game on 73 minutes. With Benfield overplaying, a poor ball out of defence was seized upon by Phil Turnbull. He released Mason who fired his shot beyond Grainger.

A Paul Brayson goal 6 minutes from time gave the hosts a faint glimmer of hope. From a quickly taken Cameron Gascoigne free kick, former Dunston player Aiden Haley picked out Brayson. The veteran striker cut inside a challenge before dispatching his effort into the corner of Connell’s net.

However, despite the potential of a few minutes drama in the dying embers of the game, it was Chris Swailes’ side who deservedly progressed through to the 1st qualifying round of The Emirates FA Cup.

Dunston UTS FC Man of the Match awarded to: Dan Capewell.

Dan Capewell is kindly sponsored by:

Home shirt - Jimmy Souley

Away shirt - Billy Irwin Painter and Decorator

Training kit - Christina Shell.