THE FA Cup journey has finally come to an end. Fortunately, the FA Trophy journey is just beginning. Saturday’s win at home to Gainsborough Trinity may not have had the razzmatazz or the crowd of last Wednesday’s replay with Walsall, but in the context of our season it was just as important.

The prize money for the win might only be a tenth of what we would have earned if we had beaten Walsall, but being in the hat for the next round of the draw is massive for a club that has had a pathological cup allergy in recent years.

On the Monday after the first game at Walsall when both the FA Cup and FA Trophy were drawn, it was painstakingly obvious we needed a winnable home draw in the Trophy given it was only a matter of days after what would inevitably be an energy-sapping replay against full time opposition. With the greatest respect to Gainsborough, the home draw against them fitted the bill perfectly.

Saturday’s win will not go down as a classic. It won’t be remembered for the quality on display. It will, however, be remembered as a home win and progression in a competition that Alun Armstrong and the lads must fancy having a run in.

The early stages promised much. We were well on top and it looked like we would probably have far too much for our visitors. It felt like Jack Lambert’s earlyish strike was the precursor to a comfortable win. Sadly, it wasn’t. With the gaffer tweaking the side with a more attack-minded midfielder in Lambert replacing Joe Wheatley, we conceded a bit more space in the middle of the park for Gainsborough to get a foothold in the game.

The visitors had the excellent Kingsley James (how is he playing in the NPL?) who has caused us trouble repeatedly over the years for Northwich, Chester and Guiseley. The space Wheatley has been occupying just behind Will Hatfield and Omar Holness was James’ playground and he made the most of it.

With us needing a replay like a hole in the head, the relief at Justin Donawa’s strike was palpable. The guy who the boss likes as an impact from the bench made an impact from the bench. Job done. If we’d been away from home or if we’d been drawn against a decent National League North side, we might have come unstuck. It probably would have been one game too many given the circumstances.

Between those who ran their socks off against Walsall and those who had racked up the air miles during the international break, there were few players with a full tank who could be called upon. Even Will Hatfield, a player who makes the Energizer Bunny look sluggish, looked leggy. If he’s worn out, everyone else must be well and truly goosed.

The performance was never going to matter. It was never going to be amazing. We got the result and we move on. Hopefully a week of rest and recuperation will mean we’re raring to go again on Saturday at home to AFC Telford United.

With just about every Darlo fan including myself having highlighted the need to find a striker to give the side a bit more of a cutting edge, let’s hope this week might be the week.

I feel desperately sorry for the manager in his efforts to find someone. It would appear trying to find a striker who is good enough to operate at our level while suiting our budgetary requirement is proving quite difficult. If anyone deserves a change in fortune in terms of player availability, it is Alun Armstrong. Like everyone else, my fingers remain firmly crossed.