Match Report: Jack McGraghan

Gateshead’s search for a win against AFC Fylde continued following a 1-1 draw at Gateshead International Stadium.

Regan Booty’s first-time finish put The Heed in front midway through the first half, only for Fylde to peg the hosts back through Harry Davis’ header halfway through the second 45, ensuring the spoils were shared on Tyneside.

Carl Magnay introduced Ryan Bartley to the starting 11 for the first time since his signing four days prior in the only change from the midweek draw at Eastleigh, and it was Gateshead who controlled the first half.

Jovan Malcolm skipped between two markers and sent a low ball towards the near post which was diverted against the woodwork by a Fylde shirt, before he flashed a shot just wide of the near post within the opening three minutes.

Both Jack Roles and Tyrell Sellars-Fleming would then see shots on target saved by Coasters ‘keeper Ben Winterbottom, before Booty rippled the net to open the scoring with a first-time strike from 20 yards.

Gateshead continued to control the first half, with Fylde’s only opportunity coming from a wide free-kick which saw Tiernan Brooks smother the ball at the second attempt, while at the other end a seemingly stonewall penalty claim was denied when Roles was leg-swiped inside the box.

The hosts’ grip on the game slipped slightly in the second 45, with Fylde turning the game into much more of a stop-start affair in their efforts to find an equaliser.

That goal arrived with their first shot on target of the evening on 64 minutes, as Davis met a corner at the far post to head into the far corner and level things up.

It would be Gateshead who came closest to scoring the third goal of the evening when Luke Hannant’s volley inside the box was tipped over by Winterbottom inside the final 10 minutes, but Fylde would be the happier of the two sides come the final whistle with the points shared on Tyneside.

Gateshead: Brooks, Bartley, Tinkler, Belehouan, Hannant, Horton, Roles, Booty, Worman (Sheaf, 71’), Malcolm, Sellars-Fleming.

Substitutes: Bond, Bramwell, McGowan, Humbles, Thompson, Milmore.

Goals: Booty (25’)

Yellow Cards: Horton (62’) 

AFC Fylde: Winterbottom, Bardell, Davis, Whelan, McFayden, Roberts (Hugill, 85’), Riley, Mitchell, Massey, Boatswain (Jolley, 46’), Haughton.

Substitutes: Clark, Long, Morris, Obi, Sassi.

Goals: Davis (64’)

Yellow Cards: Mitchell (43’), Whelan (46’), Bardell (49’), Winterbottom (66’), McFayden (70’)

Attendance: 1,458 (73 away)