A GOAL by right-back Richard Young halfway through the second half earned Gornal a win in the First Round Qualifying of the FA Vase.

Coming fast on the back of two tense cup ties against Rugby Town, Gornal were perhaps inevitably flat and struggled to create many meaningful chances against a stubborn and resolute Leek CSOB side.

Without forwards Cameron Morgan and Calum Martin, Gornal boss Ian Rowe opted to install pacy striker Marvin Nisbett in a lone forward role with support from Dave Meese.

Although Gornal dominated possession in the early stages it was the home side who created the best of the early first half opportunities, although rarely was the goal put under intense scrutiny as Nisbett struggled to escape the attentions of his burley defensive minders.

On 16 minutes William Brown fluffed an excellent opportunity to put Leek ahead when he shot tamely at James Pemberton while unchallenged and ten minutes later his effort from a free kick flew wide.

The half hour saw Robin Keates clear on the line from James Brough’s header at a corner and then a shot by Karl Miller dipped and swerved agonisingly wide.

As the half reached a close Gornal stepped up the play with Matt Weyman rampaging down the right and finding Matt Martin who shot just wide before Young tested keeper Robert Hackney on the cusp of the whistle with a 30 yard free kick.

The second half saw Gornal convert more of the possession into chances with Dave Meese wasting a chance on 55 minutes after excellent work by lone ranger Nisbett and Weyman forcing Hackney into action after a superb pass by centre-half Connor Gater.

Gornal’s pressure finally told on 70 minutes when Young found himself on the edge of the penalty area after a Lee Wherton corner was half cleared by the Leek defense and the full-back unleashed a curling shot which gave Hackney no chance.

Seconds later Brett Barlow narrowly avoided turning into his own net after an excellent probing cross by substitute Kristian Green.

Leek never ceased pressing and with four minutes to go Brough had the best chance to equalise when he superbly controlled a deep Daniel Hyde cross and chipped just over the bar from a tight angle.

Gornal now face Studley in the second qualifying round of the FA Vase away on Saturday September 24 (ko 3pm).

Leek: Robert Hackney; Jack Morgan (Mark Thornley, 85); Adam Grocott; Samuel Pettitt; Brett Barlow; James Brough; Oliver Mellor (Jake Bowyer, 74); Daniel Hyde (Captain); William Brown (Mark Fox, 68); Karl Miller; Timothy Barrass.

Gornal: James Pemberton; Richard Young; Robin Keates; Connor Gater; Chris Waterhouse (Captain); Mike Perks; Lee Wherton; Dave Meese; Marvin Nisbett (Jake Morgan, 79); Matt Weyman (Kristian Green, 70); Matt Martin (Danny Ashton, 70).