Heed struggles continue with Moors defeat

GATESHEAD’S search for their first points of the year will continue at title favourites Salford a week on Saturday.

After narrow defeats against bottom-half clubs Hartlepool and Maidenhead, the Heed lost 2-1 against Solihull Moors last night.

No Gateshead player has scored from open play since the turn of the year, though Scott Boden scored from the spot last night.

That got the Tynesiders back into the game four minutes after Darren Carter had doubled the Moors’ lead.

Gateshead, without three players, toiled manfully without threatening an equaliser as Solihull moved up to third.

Former Tynesider Danny Wright could have helped himself to a hat-trick, but couldn’t get the better of Aynsley Pears.

The on–loan Boro goalkeeper was Gateshead’s top performer, Liam Daly’s 22nd minute header giving Solihull the lead.

Gateshead would have moved up to sixth had they picked up all three points, but times are tough at the moment.

The loss of influential loan players, injuries and suspension have hit the Heed hard - along with a transfer embargo.

Manager Steve Watson said: “We’re still down to the bare bones, but we’ve got a bit of time now to get people back.

“We played well in spells and I was quite pleased, but we didn’t pick up second balls enough against a good Solihull side.

“We didn’t have the out and out quality around the box. It’s been three tough games and it’s not going to get any easier.

“But we kept going. We got a little bit of luck with the penalty, but we didn’t do enough to get anything and need more of a goal threat.”

Failure to pick up tall centre-back Daly at a corner was punished as a slicker and well oiled Solihull took the game to Gateshead.

Kyle Storer cracked a beauty against the post with Pears beaten, while Pears’ heroics kept the Tynesiders in the game.

Watson’s men had their moments, but when Carter found the top corner seven minutes into the second half it looked game over.

Boden’s penalty four minutes later gave Gateshead hope, but there wasn’t enough quality in the final third to earn a share of the spoils.