Dunston’s FA Cup campaign began with a 1-1 draw away at Whickham. A replay will be required on Wednesday night at The UTS Stadium.

Dan Marriott fired the hosts into the lead during the first half with an excellent long-range finish. Dunston substitute, Harvey Neary, rescued a draw for his side with 20 minutes to go scoring his first competitive goal for the club.

Dunston saw the majority of the ball throughout the 90 minutes, but were lacking in the final third. The first chance came on 7 minutes when Craig Baxter put an effort wide after latching onto a Dale Pearson cross.

David Robinson was next to try his luck on 16 minutes when a tame effort on goal was easily claimed by Wilkinson following a corner routine.

The deadlock was broken one minute later as The Lang Jacks took the lead in the 17th minute with a spectacular strike.

The ball was played over the top of the Dunston defence for Dan Marriott. The Whickham forward took a touch before curling a 25-yard effort into the top corner.

Whickham came close to doubling their advantage with 36 minutes played. Dunston found themselves exposed as Harvey Smith burst through on goal, only to be denied by a crucial save from the onrushing Aaron Steavens.

Dunston continued to see the majority of the ball as the second half got underway, creating more chances in the process.

Phil Turnbull was unlucky a few minutes into the half when his free kick deflected off target. From the resulting corner, the skipper, Michael Pearson, got his head to the ball guiding his effort past the post.

On 53 minutes, Dale Pearson saw his first sight on goal as the drilled a powerful effort over the crossbar.

With an hour played, the hosts almost caught Dunston on the counterattack when Fin Neary forced Steavens to tip the ball over the crossbar following a shot from a tight angle. 

On 70 minutes, Dunston finally found the equaliser when they caught the Whickham defence sleeping. A quickly taken free kick from Turnbull was played to Dale Pearson who laid the ball off for Neary to slot home the leveller.

Five minutes later, Djalo came close to putting Dunston ahead as he guided a header off target. An ambitious overhead kick attempt from Michael Pearson was also not able to trouble Wilkinson between the Whickham sticks.

The hosts’ defence managed to stand firm and see the game out for a draw. The two sides will meet again in a replay on Wednesday night at the UTS Stadium (7:45pm kick-off).

Report by Callum Pattison 

Image Credit - Beauty Time Photography