BRAVE Lancaster City were undone at the death in the cruellest possible way as Gainsborough Trinity stole all three points thanks to an own goal in stoppage time.

The Dolly Blues had shipped five goals in each of their previous four games but more than deserved a point from their trip to Northholme and debutant Lee Sparks brought the best out of ex-Morecambe keeper Adam Sollitt after just nine minutes.

Sparks was a bad of tricks from start to finish after making the switch from Marsh United - but Trinity soon started to get into the game and James Brindle saved well from Simon Bird before Richard Pell headed over.

The second half opened with Scott Doherty racing away for City and providing a cross which was volleyed just over by Leon Gierke.

Trinity nearly went in front on the hour when Liam Needham's long-ranger effort hit the bar before Simon Bird was also frustrated by the woodwork.

It seemed like Barrie Stimpson's boys were all set for their first point since November 4 as the game drifted into stoppage time but a Bird corner caused havoc and Neil Marshall could do nothing as the ball hit him and crossed the line meaning heartbreak for City.
LANCASTER City: Brindle, Rigby, Marshall, Henry, Brown, Uberschar, Mulholland, Halliwell, Sparks, Gierke, Doherty (sub Connerton 83 mins). Subs (not used): Durnan, Galley, Williams, Roberts.
REFEREE: Mr T Simmons (Coalville)
Attendance: 371