Early spot of bother - but a draw for Heed

GATESHEAD conceded their 11th penalty of the season and had Jamal Fyfield sent off - but still drew 1-1 at Barrow last night, writes JEFF BOWRON.

Theo Vassell gave away his fourth penalty of the campaign for Luke James to give Barrow a 19th-minute lead at Holker Street.

Centre-back Fyfield then picked up a second yellow nine minutes into the second half - stacking the odds firmly against the Heed.

However, the Cumbrians without a home win for four months - could not make their one-man advantage count.

Gateshead coped commendably with 10 men and their main threat, Jordan Preston, pulled a point out of the fire 10 minutes from time.

It was a good finish from the former Blackburn Rovers trainee, Barrow’s winless run at home now nine games.

There was a downside for the Heed with Fyfield (pictured right) now suspended for Saturday’s big FA Trophy quarter-final clash at Leyton Orient.

Manager Steve Watson will hope injured central defenders Neill Byrne and Fraser Kerr are fit to face the O’s.

Watson was happy with his side’s character at Barrow and a share of the spoils.

He said: “With everything we had to overcome I am delighted with a well-earned point.

“We started very slowly again, looked a bit nervous and made bad decisions with and without the ball.

“We gave away a penalty and went one down, though Barrow had not really outplayed us.

“The message at half-time was we don’t need to produce miracle performances to compete with the likes of Barrow.

“We just needed to play to our potential and we started the second half brilliantly and went for it a bit.”

Watson added: “We lost Fyfield and there were seven bookings in a game where there was not a bad tackle, so again we are talking about the referee.

“It was a deserved point for us. Preston’s goal was well-taken and we actually had chances to win the game.” ■■YOUNG Gateshead striker Nyal Bell joined Alfreton Town on loan yesterday - and scored twice in three minutes in a 4-3 defeat at Harrogate Town.