Ukrainian newcomer Ruvim Ponomarov scores the winning goal as Pinchbeck United beat Dunkirk in the FA Vase
New loan signing Ruvim Ponomarov marked his Pinchbeck United debut by scoring the winning goal as the Knights' club record-breaking run in the FA Vase continued on Friday night.
The Ukrainian - who has joined for a month on loan from Stamford - popped up with the match-clinching goal with just seven minutes remaining to secure Pinchbeck's place in the third round for the first time in their history.
Lewis Thorogood's side again had to show their character and spirit to maintain their memorable run as they trailed United Counties League Division One visitors Dunkirk midway through the second half.
However, Ben Johnson brought the Knights back on level terms before Ponomarov scored just five minutes later to send Pinchbeck into the last 64 of the national competition.
They had produced a memorable comeback in the last round of the Vase when they defeated Premier Division North colleagues Sherwood Colliery.
And they again did it the hard way under the Friday night lights at the Sir Halley Stewart by shrugging off a series of setbacks.
They were dealt a blow just hours before kick-off when Owen Sheriff was recalled by parent club Boston United and he had to watch from the sidelines along with suspended defender Ben Robson.
Already missing Joe Melson, Josh Simpson, Spencer Weir-Daley and Dan Worthington due to injury, right-back Ellis Perry-Burdett was forced off in the first half.
They then lost striker Avi Vieira to injury at half-time after he had given them the lead in the opening period of the contest.
Both sides had traded attacking blows in the early exchanges with McKenna Parton sending an effort over the crossbar for Dunkirk while Johnson flashed a shot wide at the other end.
Home goalkeeper Alex Smith did well to hold onto a well-struck effort from Parton before foiling Lewis Wilcox's back post header.
The Knights then took the lead after 20 minutes when Vieira found space to run at the Dunkirk defence before applying a fine finish beyond the dive of goalkeeper Jake Want.
Pinchbeck had a good chance to double their lead shortly after when Andre Williams broke clear but Want was out quickly to narrow the angle and smother his shot.
The hosts then lost Perry-Burdett to injury following a tackle and it needed a strong one-handed save from Smith to preserve their lead from Lavell White's shot.
Elliot Foster found space wide on the right late in the half but he fired over from a good opening.
The Knights emerged for the second half without injured goalscorer Vieira - who was replaced by Ponomarov - and they had been pegged back within three minutes of the restart.
They failed to clear their lines from a Joe Harrison free-kick and the ball fell for George Harrison to hit home the equaliser.
The visitors now had the initiative and Smith had to block well from another setpiece before Sam Harbottle created a chance but shot straight at the home custodian.
Pinchbeck also had a let off when White burst forward into the area and went down under Harry Peasgood's challenge but the vociferous Dunkirk appeals for a penalty were rejected.
However, they didn't have to wait much longer to get into the lead as Joe Harrison curled home a superb shot into the far corner of the Pinchbeck net.
Substitute Oakley Kennedy then had a great chance to extend Dunkirk's advantage but Smith made himself big to make a crucial stop from close range.
And Pinchbeck were quick to turn defence into attack as a rapid break saw Johnson create himself some space in the box before drilling home a low shot past Want.
The match had now turned on its head and Johnson headed just over from a Williams cross before the all-important winning goal came after 83 minutes.
Nathan Stevens swept forward before sending over a cross which Ponomarov gratefully converted at the back post.
It was now all about seeing out the final stages for Pinchbeck as Dunkirk's frustrations started to boil over.
Shea Thompson-Harris and goalkeeper Want were both booked to join three team-mates who had earlier been cautioned.
The visitors created one final chance as substitute Lamin Manneh clipped a cross into the path of George Harrison who steered his shot wide of the far post as Pinchbeck saw out the remainder of injury-time for another cracking cup success.
Pinchbeck: Smith, Perry-Burdett (Henderson), Millar, Stevens, Spafford, Peasgood, Williams, Burdass, Vieira (Ponomarov), Johnson (Hardstaff), Foster. Sub not used: Wilkinson (GK).
Dunkirk: Want, Head, Thompson-Harris, Jo Harrison, Wilcox, Nwadike, White, Parton (Manneh), G Harrison, Harbottle (Ja Harrison), White (Kennedy). Subs not used: Garmston, Parkes, Reid, Braithwaite.
Attendance: 149.
