By Paul McGeary
Last season Newton Aycliffe limped out of the FA Vase, with little more than an early lead which was wolfed up by West Allotment Celtic to write home about.
This season, they again limped out of the same competition, in a different manner, after a gruelling 240 minutes against their nearest rivals Shildon, who advanced by the odd goal in five.
Elliot Gardner’s eighth minute header from Paul Broom’s left wing corner set the Newtonians on their way and they held their lead for over an hour before experienced marksman Wayne Gredziak stooped to head a 78th minute equaliser.
Ben Wood poked the visitors ahead in extra time but former Newtonians striker Warren Byrne again levelled the scores from a hotly disputed penalty kick.
Chris McCabe’s expert volley nine minutes from the end of the added period put the Railwaymen through, as Aycliffe’s walking wounded just fell short of mustering a claw-back of their own.
Aycliffe had their chances to double their lead in the first half, with goalscorer Gardner going closest in the 32nd minute, forcing former Darlington ‘keeper Keith Finch into a fingertip save protecting his goal from the 22-year-old’s low drive.
Glen Robson headed just over in the 51st minute while Byrne himself headed wide when well placed in the centre of the impressive Scott Pocklington’s goal.
Gredziak himself headed over when he stole in at the front post while substitute Chris Hughes screwed wide of an open goal when it looked easier to score.
Minutes later however, Hughes atoned when he turned Anth Campbell and sent a low ball across the six-yard line for Gredziak to meet on his knees, placing his unorthodox header beyond Pocklington.
Into extra time and after he saw a weak effort curl wide, Wood got his side ahead as the interval approached. Josh Knox stood up a clever ball from the right-hand channel and Wood bravely beat the equally-as-brave Finch to the ball to poke home.
Byrne got the leveller 30-seconds later when McCabe went down somewhat easily under Mark Peck’s challenge. The 28-year-old hitman, Aycliffe’s record scorer, made no mistake as he clinically dispatched the spot-kick.
With nine minutes remaining Hughes again turned provider as his ball turned round the corner fell to McCabe who caught the ball on the half-volley and found the corner of Pocklington’s goal to earn Gary Forrest’s men a place in the next round and a trip to Tow Law Town.
Star Man
Elliot Gardner - Tireless

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