Silkmen leave it late to edge past the Heed

GATESHEAD suffered more heartbreak at Macclesfield last night following Saturday’s disappointment of missing out on a trip to Wembley in the FA Trophy.

The Tynesiders showed good character to bounce back, producing a display worthy of a point against the title-chasing Silkmen.

But Nathan Blissett’s 89th-minute header moved the Cheshire side three points clear at the top of the National League.

It proved to be a frustrating return to Moss Rose for Heed boss Steve Watson, who was Macclesfield assistant manager before he took over at Gateshead.

He said: “It was a good game. Certainly the second half I thought we played really well and created more chances than Macclesfield.

“It looked like two good sides but we didn’t get the rub of the green in front of goal again.

“We were very hesitant and indecisive for the goal that decided the game and again it’s another error and not a great goal scored against us.

“Macclesfield are a good side and have scored many times in the last 10 minutes, which is why they are at the top of the league.

“They managed to do it again and unfortunately the lad who scored the goal wanted to score more than we wanted to stop it.

“It was two teams trying to play football and I’ll take a lot of positives from the last hour. We’ve got two games over Easter we can get six points from.”

Gateshead’s James Montgomery was the busier of the keepers, making a string of important saves.

But just as Macclesfield looked to have run out of ideas, Blissett popped up at the back post to head in the winner.

The hosts came out of the traps with all guns firing and went close twice in the first five minutes.

They had several other efforts before Danny Johnson almost gave Gateshead the lead with an close-range acrobatic effort.

Macclesfield continued to press for the opening goal but the Heed defence held firm.

Substitute Wes York almost put the visitors ahead seven minutes from time – but it was the Silkmen who provided a sting in the tail.

It was only the third time in 21 games this year that the Heed had failed to hit the back of the net and they’ll look to get back among the goals at home to Dagenham and Redbridge on Good Friday.