Hectic last week ahead in Heed’s play-off push
LUKE Hannant has called for togetherness as Gateshead look to make one last push towards the National League play-offs.
Rob Elliot’s side remain in the top seven of non-league’s top tier despite emerging without a point from successive away games at AFC Fylde and Maidenhead United.
After producing a below-par display in Thursday night’s trip to Fylde, the Heed looked to be on their way to a positive result when a Hannant penalty put them in front during Saturday’s game at Maidenhead.
But there would be late heartbreak as Kevin Lokko got the Magpies back on level terms with six minutes remaining before in-form forward Shawn McCoulsky snatched the points for the hosts in the four minutes of added-on time.
The Heed will make an immediate return to action tonight when they host already crowned National League champions Chesterfield in the first of three home games in five days.
The hastily rearranged fixture against Aldershot Town will now take place on Wednesday before the regular league season comes to a close on Saturday lunchtime when Bromley make the trip to the International Stadium.
With a hectic final week of a campaign of change on the south bank of the Tyne now lying in wait, Heed wing-back Hannant has called on his team-mates to have one final push towards securing a play-off spot.
He told the club website: “It’s a team game and the gaffer has been big on that.
“Every person is going to play a part in the three games coming up in the next week so it’s down to us to focus on Monday’s game and everyone being ready if they are called on.
“They have been all season, they’ve been brilliant. Some lads have been unfortunate not to get enough minutes but when they’ve come in they’ve done really well.
“So we just have to stick together as a squad, concentrate on this final week and try to get as many points as we can.”
Interim boss Elliot seems likely to ring the changes once again tonight as he looks to guide his side throughout the most hectic period of their season.
The likes of defender Robbie Tinkler, midfield duo Greg Olley and Regan Booty and inform loan striker Dajaune Brown could all be handed recalls after they were named amongst the substitutes for Saturday’s defeat at Maidenhead.