Match Report: Jack McGraghan

Gateshead earned a point at FC Halifax Town to continue their unbeaten start to the Vanarama National League season.

Owen Oseni put The Heed in front straight after half time with his second goal of the season, only for Adam Senior to equalise two minutes later to bring Halifax back on level terms and ultimately share the spoils.

Rob Elliot named four changes to his side following Saturday’s 2-0 win at Woking, with Jean Belehouan and Will McGowan handed the first starts of their Gateshead careers, while Ben Worman and Kain Adom started for the first time this season.

The first half unfolded similarly to past scripts between the two sides, with The Heed seeing large spells of possession and the game offering up very few chances for either side.

Tiernan Brooks was called upon twice in the opening 45, first to hold Angelo Cappello’s long-distance strike before later parrying Jamie Cooke’s powerful effort around his near post.

Sam Johnson did just the same at the other end to keep Gateshead out with 42 minutes gone as he tipped Louis Storey’s flick on around his near post, but the first half passed by with little to speak on in terms of clear opportunities.

The second half, however, exploded into life after just two minutes when Oseni capitalised on a loose ball in the Halifax box to slot past Johnson and give The Heed a one-goal lead.

That lead would only last a further two minutes however, with Halifax swiftly drawing level when Senior sent a low strike past Brooks and into the far corner.

The early goals set the tone for the second 45 though, and Oseni was intent on finding a second only to be denied at the near post twice by Johnson.

Regan Booty was on hand to prevent a tap-in at the other end, sliding into his six-yard box to divert a dangerous cross behind with blue shirts lying in wait to pounce.

Johnson proved to be Gateshead’s nemesis yet again when Callum Whelan tried his luck from 20 yards and seemed destined to find the bottom corner, but for the Halifax stopper’s save at full stretch.

Neither side could add to the scoreline before the final whistle however, with a point seeing Gateshead sitting third in the National League and unbeaten from their opening three.

Gateshead: Brooks, Belehouan, Storey, Richardson, Adom, Worman, Booty, Butterfield (Allan, 70’), Whelan (Thompson, 90+1’), McGowan (Haunstrup, 70’), Oseni (Beck, 77’).

Substitutes: Moss, Colkett.

Goals: Oseni (47’)

Yellow Cards: Booty (81’), Storey (84’)

FC Halifax Town: Johnson, Senior, Smith, Adetoro, Evans, Jenkins (Bray, 84’), Cappello, Oluwabori (Hoti, 83’), Cooke, Pugh, George (Cosgrave, 80’).

Substitutes: Ford, Arthur, Emmerson, Sinfield.

Goals: Senior (49’)

Yellow Cards: Smith (76’)

Attendance: 1,379 (128 away)