Holders Spennymoor Town reach FA Vase Fifth Round

FA Vase holders Spennymoor Town needed a moment of magic from last year's Wembley hero Keith Graydon to progress against a stubborn Causeway United.

The midfield general stepped-up to power a thunderous late free-kick into the top corner to send the Moors into the Fifth Round and settle a tight game on a heavy pitch.

Chances were few and far between throughout and it wasn't until the 14th minute when the first sight of goal came.

Moors winger Anthony Peacock, a former FA Youth Cup winner with Middlesbrough, miscued a through ball that looped high for Liam Henderson to beat the offside trap but the former Watford striker fired straight at Tom Turner in United's goal.

Henderson had another opportunity just before the half-hour mark, with Kallum Griffiths crossing for the big number nine to head goalwards but he was thwarted again by Turner.

Spennymoor were now getting into gear, enjoying plenty of possession as their full-backs doubled with the wide men on either flank, but Turner was proving a tough nut to crack - saving his side again as Gavin Cogdon was played through.

As the first half neared its end, the hosts continued to press but they were restricted to half chances and long range shots as the sides went in level at the break.

Moors boss Jason Ainsley will want to get his hands on The FA Vase again this season.

The second period started with the hosts again in the ascendency, controlling possession once more with Graydon marshalling the midfield.

On the hour mark Griffiths powered a free-kick from 35 yards low towards the bottom right corner but Turner was alert again to produce a finger tip save and knock the ball round the post.

Jason Ainsley’s men were turning the screw as Causeway were forced into some last ditch defending with Darren Whitley particularly impressive at centre-half winning several brave headers to clear the danger.

As play entered the final 25 minutes, Moors manager Ainsley replaced Peacock with Wayne Phillips on the left, no doubt with the instructions to run at a defence that must have been tiring.

And those weary legs must have doubled on 73 minutes when the breakthrough finally arrived.

After Griffith's earlier strike, Graydon fancied his chances as Moors won a free-kick 30 yards out. He strode forward to powerfully curl the ball over the wall and into the top corner.

It looked to be all over as Causeway struggled to get back on level terms - their captain Aaron Lloyd was often a lonesome figure up front throughout - but Moors ‘keeper Peter Jeffries had to be alert to tip a Reece Shilvock shot around the post.

Forward Danny Priest was thrown on from the bench in the dying minutes in an attempt to earn a replay, but it was to prove in vain as Spennymoor should have doubled their advantage - Cogdon guilty of two misses late on.

And Jack Pearlman saw red in injury-time for the visitors for suspected violent conduct as their hopes of a run ended and the holders marched on in their defence of The Vase.

Spennymoor Town: 1 Peter Jeffries, 2 Kallum Griffiths, 3 Chris Mason (C), 4 Lewis Dodds, 5 Michael Laws, 6 Stephen Capper, 7 Joe Walton, 8 Keith Graydon, 9 Liam Henderson, 10 Gavin Cogdon, 11 Anthony Peacock (14 Wayne Phillips, 66)

Substitutes not used: 12 Andrew Johnson, 15 Daniel Groves, 16 Andrew Stephenson, 17 Kyle Hayes.

Causeway United: 1 Tom Turner, 2 Chris Charles (12 Danny Priest, 89), 3 Alex Cowley, 4 Darren Whitley, 5 Ryan Woollacott, 6 Todd Evans (15 Richard Thomas-Robinson, 86), 7 Jack Pearlman, 8 Hugh Sproston (16 Adam Jarrett, 76), 9 Aaron Lloyd (C), 10 Sam Beasley, 11 Reece Shilvock.

Substitutes not used: 14 Jovan Blake-Walker, 17 Danny Scarr.

Referee: Mr D. Street

Attendance: 460

Visit TheFA.com on Monday as Gary Stonehouse takes a behind-the-scenes look at Spennymoor's day.