Drop fears deepen after Tynesiders held at home

GATESHEAD’S failure to come out on top in their must-win home six-pointer against Torquay has heightened both clubs’ fear of the drop.

While the 1-1 draw with the Gulls was a massive missed opportunity the point at least closed the gap to National League safety to three points.

Marcus Dinanga put Gateshead in front early in the second half, only for Kieron Evans to equalise with an equally good strike.

The Heed played well for most of a game they controlled, but once again lacked a cutting edge and paid the price.

Torquay manager Gary Johnson admitted his side had been outplayed but praised their defensive resolve to gain a point they barely deserved.

For Gateshead boss Mike Williamson it was an all too familiar scenario.

Williamson said: “I was very pleased with the performance, but again I’m just very disappointed with the result.

“The amount of chances we created, we just weren’t clinical enough and didn’t have enough quality to finish them off.

“The endeavour was there and we never gave up.

The amount of energy we use up in a game is incredible.

“We got into the box and had some really good moments. Sometimes we made bad decisions and other times we didn’t have the rub of the green.”

Gateshead weren’t as depleted as last week in the FA Trophy against Farsley but were still without the services of six players.

Captain Greg Olley returned on the bench after a calf injury and almost turned the game late on, but it wasn’t to be.

“It seems to be a similar pattern where we have come off disappointed we haven’t won again,” said the Heed playmaker.

“We take a point but at this stage of the season, the way it’s looking, we could have done with all three, but performance-wise we can’t be disappointed at all.”

Dinanga fired the Heed ahead in the 48th minute after good work from Kamil Conteh, the striker’s shot arrowed into the bottom corner from 24 yards.

Dinanga was forced off on the hour after a heavy blow from Gulls sub keeper Rhys Lovett, the visitors level eight minutes later. Two loan players combined, Jack Stobbs’ cross glancing off Louis Storey’s head for Evans to chest down and volley past Filip Marschall from 16 yards.