Percy Main 3 Whitburn & Cleadon 1

Percy Main left it late to progress in the Bill Gardner cup against Northern Alliance first division side Whitburn & Cleadon, who struck first and took the game to the home side during the early stages, but not for the first time this season The Main scored twice in deadly fashion during the last 3 minutes to eventually secure safe passage to the competition's next stage.

The sides had contested an evenly placed pre season game at Purvis Park, which had finished up 2-2, a week before the start of the season, so no one among the home camp had any doubts that another close fought game would be in the cards, especially when Main custodian Shaun Coon was forced into a fingertip save within the first minute.

Percy Main have made a habit of scoring late goals this season, but have also conceded a few early ones and that trend continued with just 5 minutes on the clock as Luke Lloyd's corner kick from the left deceived all and gave Whitburn an early lead.

Paul Collinson had a sterling game in The Main's front line and he firstly headed wide from Ian Dunn's centre and then found himself thwarted by Whitburn keeper Andy Cunningham, following a clever flick by Dunn again, in a move which had a hint of offside about it, but the home side had Coon to thank once again as he got down low to save brilliantly from Lloyd's goal bound volley from the edge of the area as the visitors attempted to double their lead.

Coon's save was to prove crucial in more ways than one as Percy Main levelled just before the half hour mark in a sweeping move, which saw James Walker feed Dunn out on the left, his run and shot was beaten away by Cunningham, but Collinson was handily placed to slot home the rebound. As the half drew to a close, Chris Laidlaw wasn't far away from giving The Main the lead with a dipping effort which just cleared the crossbar and Elliott Mitchell had a close range attempt from Dan Souter's flag kick scrambled from the line by the visitors defence.

The start of the second half saw Percy Main's Collinson in the thick of the action as he appeared to be bundled over in the area, but despite his protests no penalty was given, he then fired just off target from Souter's measured ball into the area and minutes later drove across the face of goal to which none of his team mates were able to profit from.

Bobby Hamilton and Dunn were next to try their luck on behalf of the home side, but the warning signs were there as Whitburn substitute Grant Pressling's 63rd minute effort, destined for the top corner was once again saved well by Coon at the expense of a corner. Souter and Collinson then had noteworthy attempts for Percy Main, while Lee Orr sent a shot which whistled just the wrong side of the upright for Whitburn.

Just as the game appeared to be heading for extra time, The Main went ahead for the first time as Mitchell played a long through ball for Adam Green who beat Cunningham at the second attempt and Dunn made sure in the 89th minute as he spectacularly lifted the ball home from 25 yards.

Ponteland at home next Saturday....