‘A great achievement’ - Gainsborough the giant killers again as Trinity progress in FA Trophy

The Holy Blues came into the tie as one of the few remaining sides remaining in the competition from Step 3 or below, and they were in for a tough battle against the highest-ranked side in the competition.

But Russ Wilcox’s side have already toppled many high-quality non-league sides in domestic competitions this season, reaching the second round of the FA Cup earlier in the campaign before falling to defeat at Football League side Harrogate Town, in front of the BBC Sport cameras.

Despite the odds once again being stacked against them, Declan Howe’s goal on the hour mark was enough to send the two-time winners crashing out of the competition.

York City became the third side from a division higher than the Northern Premier League to fall to Trinity in this season’s FA Trophy, joining National League North duo Chester and Rushall Olympic.

“It’s a great victory for everyone involved with the football club,” Gainsborough boss Wilcox told The Linc.

“Especially for the supporters, and also the players. What a shift they put in today.

“We knew it was going to be difficult, but we grew into the game. I was delighted at half-time to come in at 0-0, because you know you’re still in the game.

“In the second half, we put our foot on the gas a little bit. Dylan [Wharton, goalkeeper] did what he had to do, I thought he was excellent.

“He hasn’t needed to make too many saves, to be fair, and we created some really good openings, especially after Dec’s goal.

“We didn’t want to sit off at 1-0. We wanted to get in their faces and make it harder for them to play through us. Overall, it was an outstanding performance from the lads.”

Basford and Stockton beaten

Unfortunately, fellow Northern Premier League side Basford United were not able to produce a similar result against National League outfit Eastleigh, as they were beaten 4-1 at Greenwich Avenue.

Joshua Barnes’ strike proved a mere consolation, as Luke Potter still searches for his first win since taking charge of the Lions on a permanent basis.

It was a similar story for Stockton Town, who exited the competition on penalties against Rochdale on Wednesday night. 

The fixture, which was originally postponed at the weekend, ended goalless before the National League side prevailed 4-3 in the shootout. 

Results - FA Trophy fourth round

• Basford United 1-4 Eastleigh
• Gainsborough Trinity 1-0 York City
• Stockton Town 0-0 (4-3 pens) Rochdale