Unbeaten in nine but Heed pay for slow start
GATESHEAD stretched their unbeaten run to nine games but dropped two points at home when they were held 1-1 by Guiseley.
It was a similar pattern to Saturday as they again trailed at the interval after a disappointing first half display.
Just as against Woking they were much better after the break and dominated - but this time a winner was not forthcoming.
Guiseley were also one of the National League’s form sides and they made life difficult for the Heed.
A 15th minute Jake Lawlor goal gave the Yorkshire outfit early encouragement and something to hold on to.
The Lions defended resolutely and while Wes York fired a spectacular 62nd minute equaliser, Gateshead couldn’t find a second goal.
Jonny Maxsted was impressive in the visitors goal, Gateshead manager Neil Aspin was philosophical after the final whistle.
Aspin said: “It was a good game. Guiseley are in a good run of form and were difficult opposition.
“The one thing we didn’t want was to go behind because of the way Guiseley have been defending of late.
“They worked exceptionally hard but in the second half we pushed and probed and did everything we could to try and win the game.
“But sometimes it’s important just to keep picking up points. We wanted to stay unbeaten and I was happy with the players’ effort.
“We pushed all of the second half to get the winner. The one disappointment was our quality in the last third wasn’t there.
“The final ball or cross didn’t pick out a white shirt in the box after we had got into some really good positions.”
Lawlor fired Guiseley in front after Kevan Hurst skinned Paddy McLaughlin to whip the ball across goal for the midfielder to convert.
The equaliser arrived just past the hour, York capitalising on Derek Asamoah’s misplaced pass to find the top corner from 18 yards.
After that it was all Gateshead as they poured forward in search of a winner that never came.
Jordan Burrow, who had missed a good chance in only the second minute, had a header saved by Maxsted, while York’s deflected drive flew wide.
Gateshead remain fifth with seven games remaining, a point behind Dagenham and Redbridge, who lost at Aldershot.