Right performance but wrong result for Heed
GATESHEAD manager Steve Watson got the performance he was looking for at Rochdale – but crucially not the result.
The Heed lost 2-1 at the Crown Oil Arena, traditionally known as Spotland, with defender Jon Mellish scoring at both ends.
But they took the FA Cup firstround tie against a side two divisions and 40 places above them right to the wire.
Roared on by a 275-strong Heed Army, Gateshead did not get their just rewards for a display that merited at least a replay.
Instead, they can concentrate on the National League and another good run in the FA Trophy.
Defeat at Rochdale was also costly as the prize money was £36,000, a significant amount for non-league clubs.
Watson was disappointed not to be in tonight’s second-round draw along with Conference rivals Hartlepool, who drew at Gillingham.
The former Premier League star, however, was full of praise for his players and the travelling support.
He said: “I’m disappointed, but not with the effort or the way we played.
“The fans were great and hopefully we’ve done them proud. It was disappointing to go in at half-time two goals down and the real killer blow was the second goal coming so quick after the first.
“We got a bit of luck with our goal, but it was fully deserved, but we just couldn’t then get the second goal we deserved.
“I wanted us to win the second half, we did that and were excellent. We were on the front foot and forced Rochdale back.
“It was nice to be appreciated by both sets of fans. It was two good teams trying to play the right way and a good cup tie.”
The first quarter of the game had been even, but a two-goal blast in as many minutes floored the Tynesiders.
Jordan Williams’ driven low cross was turned into his own net by Mellish, and then Ian Henderson notched his 100th goal for Rochdale.
Greg Olley and Scott Boden both twice went close before Dale Keeper Brendan Moore allowed Mellish’s tame strike to find the net.
That buoyed Gateshead, who had twice as many efforts at goal against a Rochdale side that was at full strength.
Olley and Boden were closing to earning the Heed a replay on Tyneside, but Rochdale held on in front of a crowd of 2,415.