HEED HANG ON THANKS TO UNITED’S PROFLIGACY

KEVIN MAHER blamed Southend United’s inability to take their chances as Gateshead snatched victory at Roots Hall.

Marcus Dinanga’s second half goal helped the Heed move back into the play-off places, but Maher thought his Shrimpers side should have made more of their start to the game.

“We started ever so well and with the front two we’ve got we wanted balls in the box,” he said.

“We need to take one of those early chances as then it gives them confidence and maybe we lose some.

“We wanted to ask questions of them defensively but credit to them they stood up to it.”

And Maher was impressed by other areas of Gateshead’s game.

“They’re a very good side, they play well and look after the ball,” he added.

“We turned it over quite well at times but probably on the turnover we weren’t quite good enough with the ball to take advantage.

“They had a period of ten minutes or so when they’re in our half which is expected and it’s part of the game.

“We’re under pressure when we don’t score goals and I don’t know how we haven’t scored at the end.”

Top scorer Harry Cardwell and Nathan Ralph both saw headers bounce back off the woodwork in stoppage time. And that added to Maher’s disappointment.

“We hit the woodwork twice and had enough balls going in and around the box,” said Maher.

“They took their chance and we haven’t taken ours.

“You see what happened at the end and think it’s one of those days when it’s not going to drop.”

Gateshead threatened first with Connor McBride firing an early effort over the crossbar from 20 yards following a loose pass from Harry Taylor before Dinanga sent a low, left footed shot inches wide of the right post.

Ed Francis then saw a curling 25 yard-free-kick pushed away by Shrimpers keeper Collin Andeng Ndi. Southend replied with Noor Husin curling a 25 yard free-kick straight at Gateshead goalkeeper Eddie Beach before Harry Cardwell somehow failed to connect with a curling left wing cross from Jack Bridge when a goal looked certain.

Gateshead were on top after the break with McBride having a close range shot blocked by the legs of Andeng Ndi. But, on 58 minutes, they bagged the only goal of the game – Dinanga sweeping home his 18th goal of the season from 12 yards after his initial shot was blocked by Andeng Ndi.

Southend rallied late on with skipper Ralph having an angled effort saved by Beach before the Shrimpers twice came within a whisker of drawing back level in added on time.

Cardwell sent a left wing corner from Bridge against the right post and, seconds later, Ralph nodded a right wing corner from Bridge against the crossbar as Gateshead held on.