GATESHEAD 1 FC HALIFAX TOWN 1

THAT this game ended all square was no surprise – the tenth draw in the 12 meetings between the two clubs.

Gateshead, without four regulars, should have gone on to beat FC Halifax for the first time.

That they didn’t was down to resolute defending from the Shaymen, who had taken the lead just 18 seconds in.

Former Heed man Jordan Preston converted Ben Tomlinson’s cross, former Shayman Scott Boden levelling just past the hour.

“It’s important we don’t lose these type of games,” said Gateshead manager Steve Watson. “We’re not going to win every game.

“It might turn out to be a decent point and the injuries and suspensions weren’t the reason we didn’t win the game.

“You can’t legislate for the start we made. All the fundamentals for defending didn’t happen. It was a gift goal but we were much more on the front foot in the second half.”

Replacement goalkeeper Mark Foden’s league debut saw him pick the ball out of the net with his first touch of the ball.

Preston touched Tomlinson’s cross into the far corner and was denied a second when Foden tipped his rasping drive onto the bar.

A makeshift Heed struggled for coherence in the opening 45 minutes, though Luke Armstrong’s shot was saved at the second attempt on the line.

Matty Brown, a rock at the back for Town, headed JJ O’Donnell’s driven deflected cross over his own bar.

Preston glanced a header just wide for Halifax before Jon Mellish and O’Donnell combined for Armstrong to set up Boden’s closerange equaliser.

Boro loanee Armstrong fired just wide on the turn and Rigg put a free header from Luke Molyneux’s cross over the bar. The striker then missed a golden chance late on to win it from Robbie Tinkler’s set up as a battling Halifax held on.

“Did we deserve something? Probably, yes,” said Halifax boss Jamie Fullarton. “Though the conditions impacted the game hugely.

“First half, we had the wind behind us and created some decent chances, but I don’t think either team can grumble with a point.”