Gateshead Reserves 0-2 Scunthorpe United Reserves
Gateshead reserves suffered a second consecutive home defeat as visitors Scunthorpe United scored twice in the second half.
The Iron had been outplayed in a one-sided first half as Paul Bryson's side played excellent football and dominated possession.
However, despite having eight attempts in the opening 45 minutes, the Tynesiders lacked a cutting edge though Nathan Fisher was a threat until replaced during the interval.
The game turned eight minutes into the second half when Matt Godben raced on to a long ball to round Australian trialist keeper Kieron Gonzales and tap into an empty net.
Gateshead should have levelled on 67 minutes when Sam Slocombe spilled Andy Ferrell's driven free kick only for sub. Rob Briggs to somehow put the rebound over the bar from three yards.
Jon Williams put the game beyond the hosts 14 minutes from time to leave Bryson frustrated once again.
"It could have been two wins instead of two defeats," said Bryson "but we've got to adopt a winning mentality and not be satisfied just with playing good football.
"We were well on top in the first half but played too many safe passes and didn't get in behind them.
"At half-time I told the lads that if we kept probing and were a bit cleverer we would go on and win the game.
"But their goal, which was offside, completely changed the game although we missed a sitter to get us back on level terms."
Bryson was pleased with the performance of several players including Nathan Fisher, Andy Ferrell and young centre back Luke Gilbert - but was less impressed with one or two others.
"Fisher was a real threat again. His attitude is first class and he desperately wants to be a success at Gateshead.
"He deserves the chance to play against the team he has always supported, Darlington, and I'm sure he won't let anyone down.
"Ferrell was excellent. He was very vocal and went about it the right way while Alex Francis again did well at right back, which may turn out to be his best position, and Gilbert was assured at centre half.
"However there were others who were simply not good enough and need to start showing they have a future at this club."
Craig Nelthorpe twice shot over early on and Steven Baptist's well struck shot was held by Slocombe.
Good build up play saw Ferrell shoot over from distance and then Darren Lough knocked the ball wide from inside the six yard box following a precision corner from Nelthorpe.
Fisher was wide from 25 yards and then shot just past the angle from the right side of the box after a rare defence splitting ball.
It was all Gateshead but, after Francis had a deflected shot comfortably saved, Adam Boyes drilled an angled shot into the side netting in Scunthorpe's first threat two minutes from half-time.
With one eye on Saturday's Conference derby at Darlington Fisher didn't emerge for the second half, Anthony Wakefield putting in a decent shift as his deputy.
After the Iron's 53rd minute opener Lough set up Wakefield who was denied by Boyes and then a horror ball across the face of the penalty area from Lough almost gifted United their second.
Godben intercepted and was in on goal only for Gonzales to make an important save as the striker attempted to round him for the second time in the game.
After Briggs' miss at the other end Rory Coleman shot inches past the angle for a young Scunthorpe outfit and Godben was narrowly wide from 20 yards.
It was all over in the 76th minute when Boyes' drag back was missed by Jordan Thewlis but Williams made no mistake with a simple finish.
Gateshead Reserves: Gonzales, Francis (Scott 74), Lough, Baptist, Gilbert, Brown, Gillies, Ferrell, Wake, Fisher (Wakefield 45), Nelthorpe (Briggs 65). Subs (not used): Cook (gk), J.Bogie
Scunthorpe United Reserves: Slocombe, Williamson, Coleman, Palmer, Howe, Williams, Adkins (Matthews 78), Corner, Godben, Boyes, Thewlis. Subs (not used): Greenhoff, Crook, Thomas, Jackson
Goals: Godben (53), Williams (76)
Referee: Tony Harrington (Hartlepool)
Att: 101
