York City 1, Gateshead 0

Nov 25 2009 by Steve Brown, The Journal

Blue Square Premier

HAVE a break? Not at Kit Kat Crescent, not this time.

Gateshead dominated much of last night’s Blue Square Premier clash at in-form York City. They deserved at least a draw, at least.

Yet for all their superiority – close to unchallenged in the second half – the rub of the green was not theirs.

Defeat, to Alex Lawless’ 25th-minute header, was. From the very outset, that looked the only outcome.

Inside the opening 60 seconds Michael Rankine rattled a shot off Paul Farman’s legs and Craig Baxter blocked Chris Carruthers’ follow-up, before Rankine sprang the offside trap on five minutes and beat Farman – but saw his effort hacked clear by Phil Cave.

You smelt blood, and after innocuous openings at the other end saw Andy Haworth then Peter Winn fire well wide, the Minstermen maintained their early momentum.

Neil Barrett, Levi Mackin and Rankine all shot off target, but on 25 minutes City forged in front.

Carruthers’ right-wing corner was headed powerfully at goal by Michael Gash, and Lawless glanced the ball past Farman.

The Gateshead goalkeeper made amends at the end of the first half, pushing away a Rankine piledriver, but by then the away side had rallied commendably.