Dunston advanced into the third qualifying round of the Isuzu FA Trophy following a late win over Witton Albion as Sado Djalo netted late on.

Jon McDonald made 3 changes to the side that drew with Ossett United with Elliott Stephenson, Fin Neary and JJ O’Donnell replacing Dan Lowson, Phil Turnbull and Dan Turner.

Dunston started the brighter of the two teams, with Fin Neary almost tapping home from Jude Swailes’ flick on following a Chris McDonald long-throw.

Later on in the 14th minute, an excellent last ditch tackle from Witton prevented Josh Donaldson from opening the scoring. JJ O’Donnell then saw his header drop wide of the post.

Heading late into the first half, Witton posed a threat to the Dunston goal for the first time in the match with Jacob Hamman rattling the crossbar from distance.

The second half followed a similar end-to-end pattern as Chris McDonald’s effort from distance narrowly went wide before Elliott Stephenson made a key stop at his near post to deny Witton from opening the scoring.

However, on 82 minutes, good build up play from the Blues saw Dan Turner set free down the left before squaring for Sado Djalo to tap home.

The momentum swung more on 85 minutes when Witton were reduced to ten-men when Adom Bott denied Wil Shaw of a clear goal scoring opportunity.

Following late pressure from Witton, the Blues held on to book a place in the third qualifying round of the Isuzu FA Trophy.

Next up for Dunston is a home tie against Gainsborough Trinity in the FA Cup third qualifying round.

Dunston: Stephenson, H.Neary, McDonald, Edwards (Turnbull, 68’), Swailes, Devitt, F.Neary (Turner, 63’), Robinson, Donaldson (Djalo, 70’), O’Donnell (Chrisp, 85’), Shaw

Substitutes: Baxter

Goals: Djalo (82’)

Witton Albion: Terry, Baillie, Jones, Langley, Ebhote, Farrall, Raymond, Kerr, Hoyle, Garbutt, Hamman

Substitutes: Bembo-Leta, Lawrie, Edwards, Fleming, Bott

Report by Thomas Boyle