A Shildon school is following the lead set by the town's football team by enjoying success in a major cup competition.

Earlier this season Northern League Shildon put the town's name on the map by reaching the first round proper of the FA Cup for the first time in 42 years, and now Sunnydale Comprehensive School girls team are achieving similar success.

A battling performance on Monday by the girls saw them reach the last 32 of the English Schools FA Girls' Under-16s Cup.

In the teeth of a gale they came from two goals down to win their first round match of the national competition, beating Rossett High School from Harrogate 3-2.

Two blistering shots from captain Laura Gibbon - one from a free-kick 25 yards out - plus and own goal by a Rossett defender was enough to see them through.

The game had been scheduled for last Friday but overnight snow meant it was postponed until Monday afternoon and poor conditions were again in evidence as a gale force wind blew from one end of the pitch to the other meaning it was very much a game of two halves, both played almost exclusively in the same half of the pitch.

Sunnydale, one of County Durham's two representatives in the cup, played into the wind in the first half and went into the interval 2-0 down. But the margin would have been far bigger had it not been for two good first half saves by Lauren McDonnell and some resilient defending.

Shelley Henderson, who had taken over in goal, then produced a good save early in the second period to prevent the gap from being widened. After that Sunnydale mounted attack after attack, but failed to find the net until ten minutes from time when Laura struck a powerful shot past the Rossett keeper.

Within a minute the scores were level, as a Rossett defender nudged the ball into her own net as she came under pressure.

A few minutes later Sunnydale completed their comeback when Laura smashed home a free kick after she had been fouled.

Sunnydale, who qualified for the competition by reaching the final of the Durham County Cup, have another home match in the second round.

It will be against the winners of the tie between Ossett School from West Yorkshire or Rawmarsh School and Sports College from South Yorkshire and Sunnydale hope to play it a week tomorrow.