Heed win but only thanks to an own goal

GATESHEAD’S impressive start to the season at home continued in monsoon conditions – but only just.

In front of the lowest crowd of the season, 567, goals at the end of the first half and start of the second put the Heed in control.

But Neil Aspin’s men contrived to throw away their two-goal lead, Matty Waters equalising in the first minute of stoppage time.

There was to be a sting in the tail, however, as Paddy McLaughlin swung a corner into a crowded box two minutes later. Chester’s on loan Burnley goalkeeper Conor Mitchell, in attempting to catch the ball under pressure could only palm the ball into his own net.

It was a get of jail card for a Heed side that never hit their straps, albeit in difficult conditions, against managerless Chester.

Incredibly the Heed have benefited from five own goals this season, with manager Neil Aspin delighted with a roller coaster win.

“It was a good game in terms of entertainment,” said Aspin, “we played some decent football and got into a great position at 2-0.

“You could then say we sat back but Chester pushed us back and started to control the game. At two up I felt we were okay and seeing the game out, but once they got one back we became very edgy.

“They had nothing to lose so pushed bodies forward and when they equalised at the death we thought that was it. But we got some fortune at the end and it was a great time to get the winner.”

Both sides struggled in the conditions and the opener came on 41 minutes out of the blue.

Luke Hannant swung in a good ball from the left that an under pressure Andy Halls could only head into his own net.

Within a minute of the second half it was two after Danny Johnson’s low cross saw Richard Peniket cleverly back flick the ball into the net from close in.

But Chester hit back with 17 minutes to go. Hanford could only turn Tom White’s cross onto the bar and the predatory Hannah nudged the ball home.

Waters was then given time on the edge of the box at the death to curl a beauty into the top corner.

Own goal man, however again came to Gateshead’s aid to make it four wins from five unbeaten games on home soil.

The Heed will look to extend that impressive run on Saturday when they take on Aldershot Town at the International Stadium.