United boss is relieved after his side given a tough test

MARSKE United manager Carl Jarrett admitted that he was relieved to see his side come through a testing FA Cup tie at Northern League Division Two promotion contenders Crook Town.

The Seasiders coasted through their extra preliminary round win against North Shields and they were heavy favourites to continue their run ahead of yesterday’s tie at Millfield.

However, Jarrett’s men were given a severe test by a dogged, determined and organised Crook side before eventually securing their place in tomorrow’s first qualifying round draw thanks to goals from experienced duo Craig Gott and Kevin Burgess.

The Seasiders boss praised their hosts for their hardworking display and admitted that he was pleased to see his side progress into the next round after a tough test.

He told The Sunday Sun: “I am just glad to get through to be fair.

“To be honest, when the game first started, in the first 20 or 25 minutes, I thought we would be able to get two or three past them and then we could settle.

“But that doesn’t happen in football sometimes, credit to them because the lads have put everything in for their manager.

“Fair play to them, every single one of them did it for him.

“We didn’t perform really well in the first half, we could have been better with the ball.

“But the main thing is that we are through.”

Crook manager Jamie Tunstall was left to rue missed chance from substitute Daniel Kent with his side just a goal behind.

The striker narrowly missed out on converting a cross from fellow replacement Christian Holliday and Marske punished that miss by doubling their lead less than five minutes later.

However, Tunstall was quick to praise his side and reveal just how proud he was of their display.

“We are very, very proud because it was a very resilient, hardworking performance against a top side,” he said.

“I expect them to be really competitive in their division and, to be fair, they are two levels above us.

“I thought we gave them something to think about and we were still in the game with 20 minutes left.

“Then we missed a big chance, and I think the roof would have come off if that had gone in, but it hasn’t and it’s fine margins because they killed the game with their second goal moments after that.

“But we are still proud of the lads.”