Dolly Blues rue late missed chances in second league defeat in a row

Lancaster City fell to a 2-1 defeat to Gainsborough Trinity at Giant Axe in the Northern Premier League.

After a 14-day break from their last game, Lancaster were looking to get back on track against a Gainsborough side who had won their last three league games and looking to climb up the table.

The first chance of the game came to the Holy Blues on seven minutes. Declan Howe, already on 20 goals for the season for Gainsborough Trinity tested Andre Mendes from 20 yards out.

On 17 minutes the first goal of the game was scored by the visitors. A through ball by Jordan Helliwell was played to Lewis Butroid and he takes advantage of hesitation between Ed Ikpakwu and goalkeeper to steal possession and score.

It was all Lancaster City after the goal, searching for the equaliser. Lewis Mansell headed a Charlie Bailey cross into the side netting and Sam Bailey's cross-come-shot leaving Gainsborough's goalkeeper Dylan Wharton scrambling to prevent it going in, but on 30 minutes the pressure paid off.

Sam Bailey sent a corner into the box, Dylan Thompson rose highest but under pressure his header was off target, Harrison Beeden worked hard to keep it in and sent it back across. Wharton gets a glove to it which teed up Mansell to prod home on the second attempt.

After going into the break all square, the second half started like the first, with Gainsborough on the prowl, Jordan Helliwell on 50 minutes looking for the bottom corner, found an outstretched Andre Mendes instead.

But three minutes later the Dollies defence was prised open once again.

A hopeful long ball by the Trinity defender found top scorer Declan Howe, who after a battle with Ed Ikpakwu broke free to round Andre Mendes to score his 21st goal of the season.

For the Dollies, searching for an equaliser, Charlie Bailey had a couple long range efforts which were either just over, or deflected for a corner and a flurry of penalty shouts for both sides.

The best chance came on 75 minutes. Substitute Lewis Coulton sent a free kick into the box, it was flicked on by a defender looping over everyone and Lewis Mansell from a couple of yards out, just couldn’t quite get the ball over the line.

In stoppage time, Lewis Coulton crossed to the back post but Dom Lawson poked the effort just wide.

A second League defeat in a row for the Dolly Blues who will be looking to keep in touch with the sides in the chasing pack will be taking on Workington next Saturday at Giant Axe.