Dover Athletic were forced to settle for a point following a long trip to Gateshead on Saturday afternoon.

Despite their best efforts going forward, they were unable to break the deadlock whilst keeping a clean sheet at a blustery Gateshead International Stadium.

Following their 3-1 win over Woking in midweek, Chris Kinnear’s side travelled to the North East top of the National League. However, it was Gateshead to had the first chance of the game in the third minute. A low cross from the left fell to the feet of Jordan Burrow who layed off Luke Hannant, only for the midfielder to fire over.

Moments after Burrow had a chance of his own. The attacker did well to hold off Manny Parry before hitting a shot above the target.

The visitors soon worked their way into the game though. Mitch Pinnock did well to hold up the ball in Gateshead’s area allowing Ryan Bird to take a shot straight at Dan Hanford.

The end-to-end nature of the fixture went on. Paddy McLaughlin saw his volley go wide for the hosts before Bird’s first time effort met the same fate.

It took until the 21st minute for the closest effort of the game so far. Hannant picked the ball up from McLaughlin who rifled a shot against the crossbar, allowing Dover to clear their lines.

The two footed Hannant continued to be Gateshead’s main attacking threat from a deeper position. On 27 minutes he hit a left footed effort from the edge of the box which just evaded Mitch Walker’s goal frame.

At the other end of the pitch Mitch Pinnock continued to cause problems. After Hannant fired wide the winger’s weaving run culminated in him hitting the side netting with a shot from close range, keeping the game goalless going into the second half.

The first real chance of a slow starting second half for the visitors came through the skipper Mitch Brundle. However, the midfielder’s long range free kick was well held by Hanford.

With 20 minutes left Gateshead began to carve out chances for themselves again. Jordan Burrow’s header looped into the hands of Walker before the attacker’s volley moments later didn’t trouble the Dover keeper.

The hosts had a scary moment five minutes later when they were unable to deal with a cross from Brundle. Luckily for the home fans, neither Bird nor Pinnock were able to find the back of the net with pressure on them in the six yard box.

In the final minutes Dover almost lost the point when JJ O’Donnell’s cross from the left fell onto the head of Hannant, only for his looping header to hit the bar, meaning Chris Kinnear’s men returned to the South East with a point.

 

Gateshead: Hanford, Barrow, Kerr, Byrne, Burrow, Preston (Peniket), McLaughlin, O’Donell, Maxwell, Hannant, Williams

Subs not used: Montgomery, York, Peniket, Johnson, Penn

Dover: Walker, Passley, Gallifuoco, Parry, Essam, Brundle, Pinnock, Fazakerley, Bird, Nortey, Alabi (Daniel)

Subs not used: Richards, Adebowale, Okosime, Deen- Conteh

 

Referee: Mr P Wright

Assistants: Mr D Chapman and Mr D Woodward

Fourth official: Andrew Kitchen

Attendance: 816 (58 away)