Heed bide time before seeing off Seasiders

GATESHEAD booked their place in the first round of the FA Cup where they will host National League side Altrincham at the International Stadium on November 6.

The Tynesiders had to be patient against Northern Premier League East Division outfit, who were beaten for only the second time this season.

A plucky Marske kept the tie alive with an injury time second but there was no denying Gateshead a 3-2 victory that should have been by a more comfortable margin.

The Tynesiders had the better of the first half against a compact Marske side that had conceded just three goals in their 16 games this season.

Greg Olley had a great chance on the half hour following a Dale Hopson error but with options the Heed captain shot straight at Ryan Catterick.

Marske had a rare opening following a length of the field ball but former Heed man Adam Boyes shot high and wide.

Macaulay Langstaff had a firsttime shot saved before Gateshead thought they had the lead in firsthalf stoppage time.

The Heed finally had the breakthrough after 52 minutes.

Langstaff capitalised in Wheatley’s slip and when his shot crashed back off the bar Campbell nonchalantly nodded the rebound into the empty net.

Gateshead were driving forward at every opportunity, Langstaff and Ward both almost adding to the lead.

Underdogs Marske, two divisions below the Tynesiders, were on the ropes, Langstaff in on goal only to be denied by Catterick once again.

For all their dominance and attacking threat Gateshead needed a second goal and it arrived midway through the second period.

Campbell picked out Dan Ward’s run and a subtle lay-off saw Scott shoot hard and low past Catterick.

But within two minutes a bad mistake by player-manager Mike Williamson inside the Heed box allowed Matty Tymon to poke the ball underneath advancing goalkeeper Jacob Chapman.

That gave Marske renewed hope, chapman’s misdirected clearance going straight to Hopson who couldn’t capitalised - a let off for Gateshead.

Ward made an absorbing tie safe five minutes from time, but there was still time for Boyes to score his 22nd of the season from a free-kick.