Match Report: Jack McGraghan

Gateshead fell to a fifth consecutive Vanarama National League defeat by a two-goal margin at home to Tamworth.

Jovan Malcolm’s strike – debatably disallowed for offside – was the closest either side came in the opening 45, before Dan Creaney opened the scoring for Tamworth on the hour mark.

Creaney turned provider to set up Tom McGlinchey for a second 12 minutes from time, sealing Gateshead’s fate on Tyneside.

Carl Magnay opted to bring new signing Frank Nouble straight into the starting 11 at Gateshead International Stadium following his move from Yeovil Town, as The Heed looked to end their rough run of form.

Tamworth were the first to threaten early on when McGlinchey’s shot from distance was collected by Tiernan Brooks, who would later be alert to parry clear after Tom Tonks’ long throw was fired goalwards.

At the other end, Malcolm struck the side netting after breaking into the left side of the box, but came closest for Gateshead when he diverted Liam Humbles’ ball past Jas Singh only to be quickly denied by the offside flag.

Tamworth would find the net first with an hour on the clock through in-form striker Creaney, who rose above Luke Hannant and Branden Horton at the back post to head into the far corner past a scrambling Brooks.

Creaney would then see a header cleared off the line by Nouble as the visitors searched for a second, which they would find through McGlinchey with 78 minutes gone when his low strike squirmed under Brooks out-stretched hand.

Singh would make two fine saves to preserve Tamworth’s clean sheet late on, by first getting a strong hand on Horton’s goal-bound header before thwarting the defender’s volley a few minutes later.

His efforts saw Tamworth take a two-nil win on Tyneside, dealing Gateshead their fifth consecutive defeat in the process.

Gateshead: Brooks, Belehouan, Bramwell, Horton, Hannant, Worman (Sellars-Fleming, 79’), Booty, Roles (Newton, 61’), Humbles, Malcolm, Nouble.

Substitutes: Bond, Tinkler, McGowan, Colkett, Thompson.

Yellow Cards: Malcolm (45+3’)

Tamworth: Singh, Cockerill-Mollett, Creaney (Waldron, 82’), Crompton, Digie, Enoru (Williams, 76’), Hollis, McGlinchey, Morrison (Ponticelli, 90’), Sundire (Raikhy, 90+2’), Tonks (Milnes, 76’).

Substitutes: Curley, Fairlamb.

Goals: Creaney (60’), McGlinchey (78’)

Yellow Card: Tonks (24’), Morrison (54’), Milnes (87’)

Attendance: 1,184 (112 away)