Match Report: Jack McGraghan

Gateshead came from behind to extend their unbeaten run against Oldham Athletic to seven games with a 1-1 draw at Gateshead International Stadium. 

The Latics led at half time through Mike Fondop’s header, before Luke Hannant’s ninth goal of the season just after the hour mark ensured the points were shared on Tyneside.

Carl Magnay handed Callum Tripp his first Vanarama National League start after he made his debut in the National League Cup in midweek, while Louis Flower started at home for the first time after making his full debut at Yeovil Town.

The latter should have won Gateshead a penalty within the opening three minutes when he was barged over in the box by Reagan Ogle, only for the seemingly inevitable spot kick to be waved away by referee John Mulligan.

Flower was the target of the hosts’ balls in behind the Oldham back-line throughout the first half, and came close to connecting with one only to be narrowly beaten to it by visiting goalkeeper Mathew Hudson having raced 30 yards off his line.

The Latics began to gain the upper hand in the latter portion of the opening 45 however, and took the lead with 31 minutes on the clock when Fondop headed Tom Pett’s out-swinging corner past Owen Mason.

Mason was called upon on more than one occasion to prevent Oldham from extending their lead before the break, tipping Billy Waters’ 15-yard strike over the bar and later denying Fondop a second before the half time whistle blew.

The Heed’s stopper thwarter the visitors once more seven minutes after the restart after Robbie Tinkler conceded possession inside his own box, with Mason launching himself across goal to parry wide Waters’ goal-bound effort.

Gateshead made their first shot on target count just after the hour mark to draw level however, with a flowing move started by Mason finished off in the box by Hannant, who had been previously involved before making a late run into the penalty area to convert Will McGowan’s reverse pass.

Oldham continued to try and find Fondop with crosses into Gateshead’s box in their efforts to re-take the lead, with the forward just missing a pinpoint ball to the back post with 10 minutes to go in his best opportunity.

Jovan Malcolm flashed a shot wide of the near post shortly after his introduction for the home side, though there would be nothing further in terms of goals as both sides settled for a point.

Gateshead: Mason, Tripp, Tinkler, Jones, Adom, Hannant, Booty, Humbles, Worman, McGowan (Malcolm, 84’), Flower.

Substitutes: Shelvey, John, Pani, Colkett, Bone, Bramwell.

Goals: Hannant (62’)

Yellow Cards: Booty (90+1’).

Oldham Athletic: Hudson, Caprice (Sutton, 90+1’), Leake (Kay, 61’), Fondop, Lundstram (Khan, 86’), Monthe, Ogle, Pett, Raglan, Rossiter, Waters (Worthington, 72’).

Substitutes: Dennis, Garner, Taylor.

Goals: Fondop (31’).

Yellow Cards: Caprice (37’), Waters (44’), Pett (46’), Raglan (59’), Rossiter (72’), Worthington (77’).

Attendance: 1,694 (643 away)