Match Report: Nathan Bell

Gateshead’s night in front of the TNT Sports cameras certainly didn’t disappoint as Oldham played out a 2-2 draw with the Heed at the Gateshead International Stadium on Saturday.

Brennan Dickenson capitalised on an Archie Mair mistake to give the Latics the lead in the 28th minute, before substitute Jordan Hunter immediately impressed with his equaliser in the 58th minute.

Former Heed man Liam Hogan restored Oldham’s lead in the 65th minute before Gateshead managed to equalise in the 86th minute thanks to Stephen Wearne.

The visitors were down to 10 men for the final minutes as Mark Shelton was sent off for a second bookable offence.

MIke Williamson made four changes from the goalless draw against FC Halifax Town on Monday.

Kenton Richardson slotted into the back three while Connor McBride started up top alongside Marcus Dinanga, and Regan Booty replaced the suspended Luke Hannant in midfield.

Gateshead’s trademark aggressive press could be seen for all to see, which led to soft chances for Dinanga and Greg Olley in the opening minutes.

Ed Francis pinged the ball up the left-hand flank, which gave Wearne on the wing the chance to square it to Dinanga who was unlucky not to score an easy tap-in.

Francis then came close from a short corner, having worked his way near the box which forced Mathew Hudson into making a convincing save.

Mair will be disappointed to have conceded Oldham’s opener – Devarn Green’s cross from the far-side met Dickenson, whose strike evaded the Heed keeper, who was unlucky not to have got a hand to it.

Wearne and Dinanga combined and came close to scoring about 10 minutes later but Hudson was there to prevent an equaliser before the break.

A scrappy spell around the 55th minute mark saw bookings for the Latics’ James Norwood, Hogan and Dickenson, while Dinanga was given a yellow card for the Heed.

Gateshead grabbed their leveller when Dinanga’s short pass found Hunter, having been substituted on just a few minutes before, who made no mistake from close range.

It was a short-lived respite, however, as Oldham took the lead soon after thanks to Hogan.

A disorganised corner routine and a few half-chances thereafter landed the ball into Hogan’s feet, and with lots of affordable space he made the most of it.

Wearne later threaded a ball on the right-hand side through to Dinanga who was camped in the box, but the talisman was unable to get a head to it.

Gateshead grabbed a fully deserved equaliser late on when Aiden Rutledge, Billy Chadwick and Wearne combined, which managed to catastrophically expose Oldham’s back line.

The Latics’ third red card of the season was given moments later when Shelton saw red following a challenge involving Chadwick (a second yellow card) but Gateshead couldn’t grab a winner despite the one-man advantage.

Gateshead: Mair, Tinkler, Richardson, Grayson, Allan (Hunter, 56′), Wearne, Booty (Rutledge, 80′), Francis, Olley, McBride (Chadwick, 67′), Dinanga..

Subs: Storey, Elliot.

Yellow Cards: Dinanga (55′), Hunter (90+5′)

Oldham Athletic: Hudson, Kitching, Hogan, Hobson, Shelton, Sheron, Green (Nuttall, 81′), Gardner (Willoughby, 63′), Sutton, Dickenson, Norwood (Reid, 75′).

Subs: Raglan, Freeman.

Yellow Cards: Shelton (16′), Hogan (54′), Dickenson (55′), Norwood (57′), Sheron (78′).

Red Card: Shelton (89′)

Attendance: 1,312 (431 Oldham)