Dunston bowed out of the FA Cup to Gainsborough Trinity after a 2-1 defeat despite a valiant display.

Jonny Margetts put the visitors ahead midway through the first half, before Javelle Clarke added a second on 73 minutes. Wil Shaw halved the deficit with a late goal on 90 minutes.

Jon McDonald made three changes to the side that won last week against Witton Albion with Dan Lowson, Phil Turnbull and Dan Turner replacing Elliott Stephenson, Fin Neary and JJ O’Donnell.

Gainsborough started the brighter of the two teams, with Jonny Margetts firing over the bar from close range.

Gainsborough’s early pressure paid off when Margetts put them ahead in the 21st minute. However, the goal was not without controversy, as the referee overruled the linesman’s offside flag and allowed it to stand.

Just before the break, Dunston were dealt a major blow as Jude Swailes and Josh Donaldson both departed the pitch after picking up injuries.

Dunston began the second half the brightest with David Robinson and Wil Shaw both narrowly missing the target before Harry Gardiner was presented a huge chance to level the game but his effort was scuffed straight at David Robson.

Against the run of play, Gainsborough doubled their lead as Javelle Clark tapped in from close range after a swift counter-attack by the visitors.

Dunston pushed for a consolation goal and found one on the 90th minute when Shaw lashed a half-volley into the bottom left corner.

Following late pressure from the Blues trying to salvage an equaliser, Gainsborough held on to book a place in the fourth qualifying round of the FA Cup.

Next up for Dunston is an away trip to Lincoln United on Tuesday night in the Pitching In Northern Premier League East.

Dunston: Lowson, H.Neary, McDonald, Turnbull (Chrisp 80’), Swailes (F.Neary, 39’), Devitt, Turner, Edwards (Gardiner, 66’), Donaldson (O’Donnell, 45+3’), Robinson, Shaw.

Substitutes: Stephenson, Pearson

Goals: Shaw (90’)

Gainsborough Trinity: Robson, Tuntulwana (Butroid, 65’), Jackson, Johnson, Lancaster, Beeden, Simpson, Helliwell, Margetts, Clarke, Preston (Mcloughlin, 65’)

Substitutes: Sykes, Daniel Vanderpuye, Kruszynski, Hornshaw

Yellow Cards: Simpson, Margetts

Attendance: 440

Report by Thomas Boyle