Play off contenders Gainsborough eased their way to a comfortable victory at a chilly Hurst Cross with the exact reverse scoreline of the opening fixture back in August.

Ashton restored Jordan Eastham in goal and Sean Newton at centre back as well as handing a start to Will Tomlinson in midfield but it took just four minutes for the visitors to register as Sisa Tuntulwana's overlapping run forced Dylan Cogill to concede a corner which was knocked down for Jonathan Margetts to convert at the far post.

It took 25 minutes for the Robins to register an attempt on goal as a left wing move ended with Will Tomlinson's effort deflected narrowly wide - Newton glancing the resulting corner past the far post.

With six minutes of the half left George Hornshaw's lofted ball into the box saw Ashton Offler with a completely free header which he duly planted past Eastham to double the lead.

A great run by Tuntulwana ended with Lewis Butroid guiding his effort past the far post and a 1-2 between Fraser Preston and Javelle Clarke saw the latter denied by a good low save.

Tuntulwana was back in the action on the resumption as he curled Preston's crossfield pass just beyond the far post and Luke Burke's right wing cross reached half time sub Enock Lusiama who steered it well wide.

Just past the hour a long free kick saw Tomlinson's sidefoot effort blocked in front of goal before a fine run through midfield by Preston saw him set up Margetts who could only place his shot over the bar. It took just one further minute for Margetts to register again as he cut back on to his right foot before firing a low effort home and with 15 minutes left Tuntulwana advanced to win a corner which saw his header needing to be tipped away by Eastham.

With Ashton seeking a consolation Cogill's cross was swept over the crossbar by Newton and Mikey O'Neill saw a low effort saved after Alex Byrne had won the ball.

Att: 205

Team: Eastham, Burke, Doherty (Lusiama 46), Newton, White, Cogill, Byrne, Rowe (Osei 70), Gilchrist (Navarro 70), Tomlinson, Hardy (O'Neill 70). SNU: Denton.