Gainsborough Trinity 1 Lancaster City 0

MIKE Eckersley's disastrous last-minute penalty attempt cost Lancaster City a point as their Gainsborough hoodoo continued on Saturday.

The classy wing-back stepped up to the mark to take the spot kick to earn the Dolly Blues a share of the spoils.

But his mazy run to the ball and weak finish turned the last-ditch drama into a real comedy to leave City pointless in the frozen wastes of Lincolnshire.

Eckersley's bizarre kick was easily saved by Jamie Holmshaw and City heads dropped.

It was rough justice again for Lancaster, especially after they battered Trinity during a one-sided first half.

With Steve Skinner back at the club and playing out of position as an emergency striker alongside Alex Taylor, City were the driving force.

The pair combined well but the final touch wouldn't come, even though Ryan Elderton went close with a spectacular 25-yarder.

Taylor was close to getting onto a delicious Skinner cross and things looked good until the 41st minute when Trinity scored with their first and only shot on target in the entire game.

It was cruel on City as Ryan Hindley's speculative shot looped over Tony McMillan and into the net to give the score a lob sided interval appearance.

Trinity had a 10-minute spell of pressure after the break but City soaked that up with ease before going on the all-out attack.

But chances were at a premium as sub Dave Shaw went close, while defender Joe McMahon, sent up as a fourth striker, blazed over from eight yards.

But then Taylor's turn of pace took him clear and he went round Holmshaw, who crudely dropped him to the deck.

It was the clearest of penalties and should have brought Holmshaw a straight red card and City their equaliser.

With appointed penalty taker Taylor off the field receiving treatment, Elderton wanted to take responsibility only for skipper Gary Bauress to assume control.

Then Eckersley snatched the ball and appeared high on confidence but his run up was more akin to a car spinning out of control and City returned home pointless.

Lancaster City: McMillan, McMahon, Howson, Scott, Eckersley, Uberschar, Bond (Shaw 60), Bauress, Elderton, Skinner, Taylor. Subs (not used): Holliday, Davies.

Referee: M Bell (Rotherham)

Attendance: 306