Harrogate end Gainsborough’s run in FA Cup

Gainsborough’s best FA Cup run since 1952 ended with a narrow 1-0 second round defeat at Harrogate.

A second-half header by midfielder Dean Cornelius saw off the gutsy Northern Premier League outfit, who went into the tie as the lowest-ranked side left in this season’s competition.

Earlier, Trinity defender Will Lancaster had put in two brilliant blocks to divert James Daly and Josh March efforts away from goal, with Harrogate only testing keeper Dylan Wharton for the first time on 35 minutes following Stephen Duke-McKenna’s long-range strike at the end of a jinking run.

March then drove narrowly wide from the edge of the box, but should then have done better when he volleyed over an inviting goal heading into the interval.

The Lincolnshire minnows’ one goal attempt of the first half saw six-goal cup marksman Declan Howe drag a 20-yard chance well off target.

After Sisa Tuntulwana had gone close with a deflected attempt for Gainsborough and home midfielder Stephen Dooley had exited the action with a gashed head following a nasty collision with pitchside equipment, Harrogate secured victory on 57 minutes when Cornelius placed a downward header beyond Wharton from Daly’s left-wing cross.