Whitley Bay lead Coalville 1-0 at Wembley in the FA Vase final, but they have their defence to thank for a stubborn first half display in which Coalville have been on top.

The Midland Alliance side nearly took the lead after 2 minutes, when Zach Costello’s header was cleared off the line by Paul Robinson.

Coalville forced four more corners by the 15th minute mark as the Whitley defence wobbled, and they had another escape on 16 minutes when keeper Terry Burke fumbled a low shot by Jerome Murdock, but Callum Anderson cleared.

But Whitley showed their character by steadily clawing their way back into the game.

Craig McFarlane cut in from the right hand side into a good central position, but he fired wildly over the top.

But McFarlane’s contribution was much more assured in Whitley’s next attack. He quickly controlled a crossfield pass by David Pounder, cleverly beat his marker on the right, and pulled the ball perfectly for Paul Chow to tap in from just a few yards to give him the remarkable record of scoring a goal in every round.

Murdock headed past Burke at the other end as Coalville tried to find an answer, but the assistant referee ruled that the ball had gone out of play before the tall striker headed it.

Whitley could have increased their lead before half time. Lee Kerr beat the offside trap and fired across the keeper but wide of the post when Chow was in a better position, then Paul Robinson and Chow twice exchanged passes putting Chow clear, but with the keeper advancing, Chow put the ball over the top.

But again Whitley's hearts were in their mouths in another Coalville raid when Matt Moore hit the post in a scramble, and the ball bounced back into Burke's hands