Dunston progressed to the Emirates FA Cup Second Round Qualifying after an emphatic 5-1 away win at Northern League side, Birtley Town.

Goals from Jack Walker, David Robinson, Scott Robson, and a stunning brace from Sado Djalo, confirmed our entry into the next round.

Jon McDonald made one change from Bank Holiday Monday’s 2-0 victory against Ashington as Craig Baxter slotted into the back four in place of Harvey Neary. Scott Lowery also returned to the bench after a small injury setback.

After a back and forth opening to the encounter, Jack Walker headed home his second goal of the season on the ten-minute-mark to give Dunston the early lead. Following a corner, Dale Pearson dropped the ball off for Phil Turnbull who lifted the ball back into the box where Walker was able to guide his header into the top corner past Gordon.

Dunston took control of the game from this point and the lead was almost doubled in the 23rd minute when Scott Robson got on the end of a Dale Pearson cross, but his header was glanced wide.

The Hoops almost pulled level in the 26th minute when the familiar face of Jack Elliott danced his way past a number of Dunston players and played in James Proctor, but the latter poked his effort wide of Dan Lowson’s post.

Dunston made their dominance count and, in the 42nd minute, the lead was doubled as David Robinson netted his first goal of the season. Dale Pearson lifted the ball over the top of the Birtley defence where Scott Robson got in behind before unselfishly squaring the ball for Robinson to fire home.

The hosts looked to gain a bit of momentum as the second half got underway. A free kick was played into the box, but Hedley nodded it narrowly wide. One minute later, Jack Elliott dinked the ball past Lowson and into the back of the net however, the flag was up for an offside.

With Birtley rallying, Dunston landed a big blow merely seconds later when Sado Djalo slammed home his third goal of the season. Some excellent build up play was rewarded when Dale Pearson slid the ball across the six-yard box where Djalo was able to finish well with a first-time shot.

Dunston were back in the ascendency and Jack Walker almost notched his second goal of the game in the 56th minute when he headed wide after a Phil Turnbull delivery.

In the 57th minute, Djalo netted his second, and Dunston’s fourth, with an outrageous finish. The Birtley ‘keeper was sold short by a tame back pass and Djalo was on his toes to dummy the ball past Gordon and then audaciously backheel the ball into the bottom corner.

Dunston carved out an array of chances immediately following the goal as they went in search of a fifth. Second half substitute Richard Coulson was denied by a good stop from Gordon before the ball fell to Dale Pearson on the edge of the box where his effort came back off the post.

Scott Robson and David Robinson were both denied once again by Gordon in the 65th and 67th minute.

JJ Chrisp was also introduced in the second half and almost started and finished what would have been an outstanding goal. The young midfielder fizzed a 40-yard pass out wide before darting to the edge of the box, but his effort went narrowly wide.

In the 73rd minute, the fifth goal was finally added as Scott Robson deservingly added his name to the scoresheet. A Dan Turner effort was once again denied by the post however, the ball fell into the path of Scott Robson who was able to calmly guide the ball home.

All credit to the hosts who continued to battle on and were unlucky on a number of occasions in the final 15 minutes as Dan Lowson produced some stunning saves. 

The Dunston goalkeeper got down low to deny a close-range effort from Nick Marley. 

Lowson again produced another stunning save in the 88th minute as Dunston looked to preserve the clean sheet.

In the 89th minute, the hopes of a clean sheet dwindled as Jack Walker was penalised for a foul inside the area, with the referee pointing to the spot. James Proctor stepped up and sent Lowson the wrong way as he slotted the ball into the bottom left corner.

That proved to be nothing more than a consolation goal as Dunston secured the 5-1 victory, maintain the unbeaten start to the season, and advance into Monday’s draw for the next round.

Report by Callum Pattison 

Image Credit - Beauty Time Photography