LEE Duckworth needed only one word to sum up how Monday’s FA Cup replay defeat had left him feeling – ‘gutted.’

His Blues had earned a second crack at opponents ranked two levels higher after coming from behind twice at the weekend to secure a 3-3 draw.

And their hopes of causing an upset were raised further when Danny Egan flicked a cute header past Whitby goalkeeper Shane Bland inside five minutes.

Stung, Whitby rallied.

Winsford goalkeeper Michael Langley had to be at his best to deny both Michael Roberts and then Steve Snaith, the latter by pushing the ball onto the crossbar before Dean Clarke smuggled clear.

George Ward then timed a tackle perfectly to deny Roberts before the Seasiders deservedly drew level on 38 minutes.

It was scrappy, but Matthew Tymon’s touch was decisive after the ball ran loose inside the home team’s penalty area.

Dale Hopson fluffed his kick in front of goal early in the second period, while substitute Scott Taylor’s drive was too hot for Bland to handle.

Dale Jennings could not control the rebound.

Nathan Cotterell, whose late leveller on Saturday brought Whitby to Barton Stadium, fired wide before captain Kyle Riley’s drive skimmed the woodwork.

Whitby secured a date with Northern Premier League rivals Spennymoor midway through the half, when Snaith converted Danny McWilliams’ free kick from close range.

Blues sent on Brandon Moores for James Rothwell, and his impact was almost instant as he headed over.

Duckworth’s free kick was blocked, then Bland blocked another Cotterell attempt at the base of an upright before time ran out.

At the end of their best run in the FA Cup for more than a decade, they were greeted by an ovation from a bumper crowd.

Next up, an FA Vase encounter with Runcorn Town this Saturday.

Winsford | Langley (GK), Clarke, Ward, Rothwell (Moores 70), Duckworth, Johnson, Jennings, Brazel, Riley, Egan (Taylor 30), Cotterell Subs not used Tierney, Johnson, Mellor, Jenyons, Warburton Goal Egan 3 Booked Clarke, Johnson, Riley

Whitby | Bland (GK), Martin, McWilliams, Weleji, Bythway, May, Gell, Hopson, Roberts (Round 90), Tymon, Snaith Subs not used Bullock, Robinson, McTiernan, Hume Goals Tymon 32, Snaith 67

Referee Barry Lamb (Eccles)

Attendance 270