Durham City suffer FA Trophy agony

 Source: Newcastle Evening Chronicle

 TWO extra-time goals ended brave Durham City’s FA Trophy hopes in front of a 672 crowd at Gigg Lane last night.

The Citizens took FC United of Manchester all the way in their second qualifying round replay after the two sides had drawn 1-1 at New Ferens Park.

The Reds, a league above Durham in the Evo-Stik Premier, led through Mike Norton’s header on the half-hour.

However, the gutsy visitors were always in the tie and levelled through Amar Purewal early in the second half.

Either side could then have won it but it was not until the last minute of extra-time that Astley Mulholland clinched the tie with United’s third.

A 3-1 defeat was harsh on Dickie Ord’s side, who nevertheless picked up useful money from a share of the gates in the two Trophy ties.

Norton put United ahead when he headed home Lee Neville’s cross.

Durham, though, were back in it when Stephen Thompson set up Amar Purewal to level.

City were unlucky not to go ahead, while James Winter saved well from Kyle Jacobs and Mulholland blazed over the bar.

Thompson almost won it for City five minutes from time, but his free-kick from just outside the box was tipped past the post by Spencer.

Holden then put the Reds ahead seven minutes into extra-time with a header and then Mulholland sealed a third-qualifying-round derby against Altrincham with a 120th-minute goal.

Durham City next face a top-six Evo-Stik North clash with Curzon Ashton on Saturday.

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