Sado Djalo fired Dunston into the lead after 34 minutes, getting onto the end of a Jordan Lamb cross.

David Robinson doubled the lead just before the hour-mark, before Dale Pearson converted from the penalty spot to extend the advantage.

The hosts grabbed a stunning consolation goal 15 minutes from time courtesy of Jack Emmett however, Dunston held out for the win in a professional performance.

It was arguably a cagey opening ten minutes as both sides had to come to grips with a strong wind in the early stages of the game.

The first chance for Dunston came on 14 minutes. Some neat build-up play between Dale Pearson and Sado Djalo however, the latter failed to hit the target from just inside the box.

Dunston definitely settled into the game first and began to take control as the half wore on and looked a real threat down the right-hand side.

Phil Turnbull pinged an excellent cross-field ball over to Jordan Lamb in acres of space after 27 minutes. The Kiwi cut inside into his left foot, but the effort was tame and easily gathered by Brown in the Knaresborough net.

Minutes later, David Robinson tried his luck from distance which just missed the target by inches, before the deadlock was finally broken.

Jordan Lamb down the right played a low cross into the box where Djalo was waiting unmarked and fired the ball into the back of the net.

Dunston pushed for a second, and were denied in first half stoppage time by Tommy Brown. A pinpoint cross from McDonald found Pearson, but an excellent save by Brown kept the score level.

Into the second half and Dunston continued to push the all-important second goal. It almost came just four minutes into the half after Djalo ballooned an effort over the bar after another precise McDonald cross.

The lead was doubled on 59 minutes as David Robinson scored his first goal for the club. A well-weighted ball by Djalo found Robinson, and the former North Shields-man kept his composure and struck a tidy shot into the bottom corner.

Just a minute later, Pearson was brought down inside the box by Brown and a penalty was awarded.

Pearson stepped up and blasted the ball home to extend the lead. It’s now five goals in the first three games for the centre forward.

Dunston continued the second half in cruise control and rarely looked threatened. That was until a 25-yard corker from Jack Emmett caught everyone off guard as it sailed into the top corner. No chance for Staples.

The goal gave the hosts a lift and they definitely finished the game the stronger of the two sides in the final ten minutes.

Gregg Anderson got onto the end of a cross, but his headed effort was only good enough to hit the side netting.

Anderson again had another great chance with 87 minutes on the clock as the ball fell to him from a few yards out however, his volleyed effort was smashed into the next postcode.

Dunston managed to see the game out with no more scares, and ran out 3-1 winners at Manse Lane progressing to the next round of The Emirates FA Cup.

Report by Callum Pattison

Image Credit: BeautyTime Photography