An away trip to Birtley is the reward after Dunston progressed to the FA Cup First Round Qualifying following a 3-0 victory against Whickham.

Dale Pearson opened the scoring after five minutes. Sado Djalo and Dan Turner added a second and third in the second half as Dunston progressed with a comfortable victory in the replay.

Jon McDonald made four changes to his staring line-up from Sunday’s draw at The Glebe. Scott Robson served his one-match suspension which saw Sado Djalo make his first start of the season. Dan Lowson replaced Aaron Steavens between the sticks, and both Harvey Neary and Jack Walker came in for Dan Turner and Scott Lowery.

The 563 in attendance were treated to an early goal with only five minutes played following a set piece routine straight off the training ground. A ball floated into the box was knocked down by Jack Walker with Dale Pearson lurking at the back post to nod home from close range.

Dunston continued to look a threat going forwards as Dale Pearson nearly notched his second of the game on 20 minutes. Djalo won back the ball in his own half before sliding the ball through to Chris McDonald. The left back floated a first-time cross into the box for Pearson who was denied by an excellent reflex save by Matthew Wilkinson.

Both Michael Pearson and David Robinson came close as the midfield pair had long-range efforts narrowly miss the target. Dale Pearson had another chance after 30 minutes when he was denied by a last-ditch block from Nelson.

With the opening forty five minutes coming to a close, Harvey Neary had two efforts as he came close to doubling Dunston’s lead. First, a looping header dropped just high of the target before an effort from the edge of the box was dragged wide of the post.

The visitors conjured up only one effort on goal in the first half as Lucas Lowery pulled a snapshot a yard wide of Lowson’s post.

Dunston were in the ascendency as the second half got underway. The set pieces continued to be a problem for the Lang Jacks as both Michael Pearson and Jude Swailes came close with headed efforts.

On 71 minutes, Dunston were awarded a penalty as the referee adjudged Dale Pearson to be shoved in the back inside the area. Sado Djalo stepped up and slotted the ball into the bottom left corner. A first competitive goal for Djalo since last September’s 3-0 FA Trophy win against Ashington.

Two minutes after the goal, Whickham substitute, Bailey Geliher, almost halved the deficit with what would have been a stunning goal. Geliher cut in on his right foot before sending a curling effort from 25-yards crashing off the crossbar.

However, with four minutes of additional time signalled, Dunston sealed the victory as second half substitute, Dan Turner, netted his first goal for the club. Alfie Turnbull won back the ball in his own half to launch a counterattack. Turner found himself one-on-one with Wilkinson where he saw his first effort saved, but he made no mistake tapping home the rebound.

Dunston progress to the First Round Qualifying for a fourth successive season where they will meet Birtley Town away from home on Saturday August 31st.