As maybe we all feared, Parkgate’s involvement in this season’s Emirates FA Cup came to an end in the Moorlands of Staffordshire as they fell to a 3-0 defeat to Northern Premier League side Leek Town in their First Qualifying Round replay at Harrison Park; but as the Steelmen and their supporters contemplated a short but tricky drive home in the teeming rain, they left everyone in no doubt that they had again worked their socks off against opponents two pyramid steps higher, writes Colin Muncie for the Parkgate FC Website.

As in that fine away win at Brighouse Town in the previous round, Manager Billy Fox again set his side up with two front men and looked to contain Leek in the hope of grabbing a goal on the break, and as the first half wore on, that was exactly the pattern of the match; but once talented front man Dan Trickett-Smith had headed the home side in front after 41 minutes - after a string of fine saves from Parkgate ‘keeper Danny Butt - the task looked even more daunting at the interval.
So, it proved, as Jordan Johnson punished the loss of possession in midfield with another fine header (54 minutes) and Niall Maguire converted from close range after 72 to clinch an away tie for Leek at runaway National League North league leaders Chorley, despite more great work from Butt - and left Foxy’s battling side reflecting on that late penalty at Green Lane which possibly cost them a lucrative upset win in the first meeting a week ago.

A crowd of 214 watched the game.
We’ll have Foxy’s take on the game here on our Website later.