Heed come second best in Duns friendly

GATESHEAD brought on their big guns in the second half in their pre-season friendly at Dunston but were unable to turn around a two-goal half-time deficit.

A makeshift side containing three trialists and three academy players were second best to an experienced Dunston outfit in the opening 45 minutes.

Carl Magnay, James Montgomery and Robbie Tinkler were the only senior players on show with young schemer Conor Pani the Heed’s stand out performer and the only threat on goal.

Northern Premier League East outfit Dunston were gifted an early goal following an horrendous backpass from near half way from Tinkler.

Richard Coulson profited to nudge the ball past an exposed James Montgomery in the Gateshead goal.

A Montgomery fumble almost saw the home side double the lead but the Heed keeper recovered to save.

Dunston bossed proceedings and doubled their lead just before the half hour in front of a crowd of 565 at the UTS Stadium.

Leam Thear skipped past two defenders to arrow a superb strike across Montgomery into the far corner.

Pani fired just over from distance from a free kick before Gateshead brought on a host of first team players at the break, though several still watched on from the sidelines.

One of the replacements, Dan Ward, cut inside his man to find the far corner with less than three minutes on the clock.

Despite dominating the ball they created only a few chances against a resolute home defence.

Ward was the main threat and had a great chance to level, only to fire an angled shot inches past the far post.

Dunston rarely threatened and Tinkler was just off target from 25-yards as the Heed probed in vain.

Paul Blackett had a chance at the death from the tightest of angles but was denied by the legs of Dunsto keeper Mauro Asikaogu.

Gateshead continue their pre-season precautions at National League Northside Spennymoor Town on Saturday.