FA TROPHY
Gainsborough Trinity 0
Tamworth 0

Gainsborough held their own against their higher-ranked opponents as neither side could muster any serious goal-scoring chances in a game dominated by the defences.

The result means the Blues will get another chance to progress when they play at the Lamb Ground on Tuesday, in what will be their third consecutive Trophy replay.

Little told the Standard: "We've developed this system to the point where it has made us a stronger team and I'm happy with the way we're doing things at the moment."

"I was pleased with the performance and attitude."

"I thought we contained them pretty well; we worked hard and were competitive, so I think a draw was a fair result."

The game's best opportunity came after only eight minutes.

Iyseden Christie beat the offside trap and wiggled away from the covering Trinity defence before firing a shot which Phil Barnes did well to palm away.

But the Blues threatened too. Josh Davies volleyed just wide from a corner, while Ashley Burbeary had a shout for a penalty rejected after his shot appeared to have been blocked down with an arm.

The second half was a feistier affair.

A strong challenge between Nathan Peat and Lamb's defender Richard Tait sparked off a melee, which resulted in both players going into the book.

Trinity applied more attacking pressure after the break and had a header cleared off the line from a corner on 72 minutes.

They also gave new signing Darren Mansaram his debut, but neither attack looked like scoring and will have to do it all again.

Trinity's next game is against Droylsden at the Butcher's Arms Ground in Manchester on Saturday. The Bloods are fifth in the table but have not played a match since December 12th.

The two teams met on the Northolme back in August, where Trinity prevailed 4-2.

Little hopes his team can replicate their cup performance in the league this weekend.

He said: "They're a decent side, but we've got a good spirit and if we can play like we did tonight then we've got a chance."

Gainsborough Trinity: Barnes, Toulson, Peat, Greaves Parker, Hunt, Burbeary, Beckett (Stamp 45), McMahon (Mansaram 82), Davies, Dunning. Not used: Mallon, Hall, Herriott.

Tamworth: Fankem, Tait, Blackwood (Wright 60), Smith, Wylde, MacKenzie (Lake-Gaskin 66), Pritchard, Sheridan, Shaw, Briscoe, Christie. Not used: Lyttle, Langdon, Ulker.

Referee: A Halliday
Assistants: B McGill, C Duval.
Fourth Official: D Lawrence.
Attendance: 291
Yellow Cards: Peat 56; Tait 56, Christie 88.
Man of the Match: Lewis McMahon.