Match Report: Jack McGraghan

Ten-man Gateshead were dealt a 3-1 defeat by Wrexham despite a battling performance at The Racecourse Ground.

Two deflected goals from Ben Tozer and Ollie Palmer put the hosts ahead in the opening 10 minutes, though Owen Bailey’s header gave The Heed hope before Louis Storey’s sending off.

Gateshead battled a man-down in the second 45 and created chances to take something from Wales, but Paul Mullin’s 79^th minute strike ensured the points stayed in Wrexham.

Mike Williamson made two changes following Saturday’s defeat at the hands of Wealdstone, handing Will Harris his first start up front while bringing Storey back into the fold after he missed out through injury at the weekend.

The game got off to a dream start for Wrexham, who went ahead after two minutes when a corner pinged around in the penalty area before Tozer fired in at the near post via a sizeable deflection.

Gateshead looked to respond immediately and Tom Allan drew a low save from Mark Howard, though the hosts doubled their lead on 10 minutes as Palmer cut in from the left and sent a heavily deflected effort past Dan Langley.

The Heed hauled themselves back into contention with 26 minutes on the clock however when Bailey’s header from a Greg Olley corner proved too quick for Howard to handle, with the ‘keeper helping it into the back of the net.

The visitors’ resurgence was seemingly stifled by Storey’s dismissal three minutes later, with referee Daniel Middleton opting to show the defender a second yellow card after a slip and foul in Wrexham’s half.

On the contrary however, Gateshead’s reduction to 10 men only bolstered their confidence.

Dan Ward forced Howard into a smart save at his near post before Harris beat two men in the box and fired wide, with the half time whistle coming just as The Heed were hitting their stride.

After a quiet opening to the second 45 there were chances at both ends to add to the scoreline as Mullin fired over the bar for Wrexham, while at the other end Harris was denied a goal by Howard who got down well to keep out his low effort.

Mullin thought he had his side’s third when he converted a rebounded header off the post, only to be flagged offside, but 11 minutes from time Wrexham’s third arrived when the forward capitalised on Robbie Tinkler’s back pass to slot past Langley one-on-one.

Howard was called upon once again to keep Gateshead at one goal, next parrying substitute Paul Blackett’s effort which seemed destined for the far corner moments before Olley saw a shot from 12 yards deflected up and over the bar.

A monumental second half shift proved too little for Williamson’s side to gain any points at Wrexham, though once again showed encouraging signs that they are not far away.

Gateshead: Langley, Tinkler, Magnay, Storey, Richardson, Bailey, Ward, Olley (c), Allan (Gallacher, 35’), Harris (Blackett, 67’), Campbell.

Substitutes: Montgomery, Williamson, Forbes.

Goals: Bailey (26’)

Yellow Cards: Storey (16’), Olley (53’)

Red Cards: Storey (29’)

Wrexham: Howard, Cleworth, Davies, Forde, Hayden, Jones (Lee, 62’), McFadzean (Mendy, 67’), Mullin, Palmer (Dalby, 78’), Tozer, Young.

Substitutes: Watson, O’Connor.

Goals: Tozer (2’), Palmer (10’), Mullin (79’)

Attendance: 9,805 (56 Gateshead)