RUSS GAINS NEW FAITH IN HERGES ON TRINITY TRAIL

PROUD Russ Wilcox says Gainsborough Trinity’s epic FA Cup comeback to fire the club into the second round for the first time in 72 years sums up everything good they’ve got going.

- Matt Badcock

Wilcox’s NPL Premier side were on the brink of exiting the competition when they found themselves 3-0 down in the second half at Hednesford Town last weekend.

Declan Howe struck twice to haul them back into the tie with 13 minutes to go.

Even then they needed the full stoppage time before Will Lancaster crashed in off the underside of the bar to force extra-time.

Omar Holness put the Pitmen back in front before Trinity levelled again through Javelle Clarke.

If that wasn’t breathless enough, a marathon shootout followed with only nine of the 18 penalties hitting the back of the net.

Holy Blues stopper Dylan Wharton made three saves before Jordan Helliwell finally hit a sudden-death winner for a 5-4 victory.

Wilcox joked there was no time to soak it all in with a Match of the Day studio appearance on Sunday – but the former Scunthorpe United boss lavished his side with praise.