Heed lose but should have done better

GATESHEAD contrived to lose a game they should have got something from as they again slipped to defeat away from home.

Fleetwood Town loanee Jake Reid came off the bench to score the only goal and give Wrexham their first home win since February.

The Tynesiders were the dominant side by some distance in the first half but couldn’t get the goal their overall play merited.

Former Halifax pair Richard Peniket and Jordan Burrow were together up front for the first time.

It was from Burrow’s headed flick from James Montgomery’s clearance that almost brought a seventh-minute lead.

Peniket hooked just wide of the far post and then a great diagonal ball from Theo Vassell set up another chance.

Callium Williams’ cross was met by the head of Paddy McLaughlin, who could not guide it the right side of the post.

The Heed had a grip on proceedings in front of a 4,097 Racecourse Ground crowd, but their injury jinx was soon to return.

On-loan Newcastle right-back Williams had to be replaced after picking up a calf strain, with former Dragon Wes York thrust into the fray in his place.

Middlesbrough loanee Robbie Tinkler tested Chris Dunn in the home goal from 25-yards, with McLaughlin then firing just over the bar from distance.

Wrexham managed only one attempt at goal in the first half and they fared little better in the second, but still came away with the points.

Good work from York saw the wide man set up McLaughlin early in the second period but the schemer shot over with his weaker foot.

Wrexham had still to threaten by the hour mark, with Heed boss Neil Aspin putting a third striker on in Danny Johnson.

Russell Penn, impressive on his return to the Racecourse, was the man to make way with chances now at a premium.

It was Wrexham, however, who scored out of the blue with only their second attempt at goal – and their first on target.

Gateshead failed to deal with a ball over the top into the right of the box and Reid capitalised to slide the ball past Montgomery.

It was a sucker-punch for Gateshead, who had relaxed their grip on the game but hadn’t been in any trouble until then.

The Tynesiders’ earned their first corner nine minutes from time, sub Danny Johnson and Tinkler then forcing saves from Dunn – but it was too little too late.