Late Vase heartache as Dunston dumped out
DUNSTON UTS were dumped out of the FA Vase by a late goal at Northern Counties East League club Winterton Rangers.
Chris Swailes’ side fell behind to a Liam Nelthorpe goal on 35 minutes but were back on level terms thanks to an own goal from Rangers defender Kieran Wressle early in the secondhalf.
But there was a late sting in the tale for Dunston as Nelthorpe curled home a free-kick in the second minute of injury-time to end any hopes of a Wembley return for the 2012 Vase winners.
Shildon had no such troubles as they came away from Barton Town with a 2-0 win thanks to goals from Ben Trotter and Matty Robson.
Last year’s beaten finalists Stockton Town got their Vase campaign underway with a comprehensive home win against Northern League Division One rivals Ashington.
Early goals from Fred Woodhouse and Michael Roberts had the Anchors three goals ahead by the half-hour mark.
Glenn Caygill pulled one back for the visitors on the hour, but it was a rare positive for the Colliers and a bad day was rounded off by Nathan Mulligan adding a fourth goal for the hosts on 75 minutes.
Nathan O’Neill was Sunderland RCA’s hero as his four goals helped them to a 6-2 win at Garstang.
O’Neill’s hit a hat-trick inside the opening 35 minutes and Greg Swansbury also got on the score-sheet to give RCA a four-goal half-time lead.
Garstang threatened a comeback after a second-half brace from Tom Entwistle but a Colin Larkin penalty and O’Neill’s fourth goal of the day ensured that RCA will be in Monday’s third round draw.
They’ll be joined in the hat by West Auckland Town as an Adam Burnicle goal was all it took to help the two-time finalists past Thackley.
All three goals came in the last 10 minutes as Hebburn Town fought their way past Hallam.
Four-time FA Vase winner Paul Chow gave Hebburn the lead on 83 minutes, but the tie looked set to go to extra-time as Sam Smith got the hosts back level moments later.
But former Newcastle United youngster Jack Robson found the perfect time to net his first Hornets goal as he lashed home the winning goal two minutes from full-time.
Bedlington Terriers couldn’t make the most of an early lead as they were knocked out of the Vase by Silsden.
Ronnie Jones put Terriers ahead on two minutes, but a second-half brace from Joe Gaughan and a goal from Aidan Kirby sent the North West Counties League side into the next round.