Gateshead Reserves 2 Sunderland Reserves 2
Gateshead reserves came from two down to earn a merited totesport.com League Cup draw with Sunderland at the International Stadium.
After a quiet opening Sunderland drew first blood on 12 minutes when David Healy sprang the offside trap.
The Northern Ireland international waltzed around an exposed Paul Farman to shoot into an empty net.
Matt Fletcher then ran at the home defence in the 23rd minute only to shoot straight at Farman.
Gateshead were yet to have a shot at goal despite Brian Wake's best efforts up front, play confined mainly to midfield.
Blair Adams got in on the left side of the Gateshead box but Farman blocked the defenders shot.
However, from Adam Reed's resultant corner centre back Dan Madden rose to head home from close range.
It was poor defending from a lacklustre Gateshead and Farman had to be alert to prevent Nathan Luscombe's curling strike from finding the top corner.
Gateshead, however, were back in it when Wake won possession just outside the Wearsiders penalty area.
The ball was knocked into the box by Andy Ferrell where the unmarked Ashley Winn failed to capitalise.
The ball came off the midfielder's head and fell for Craig Nelthorpe who hit a superb angled volley just inside the far post.
It had been Gateshead's first effort at goal and they were almost level with their second in stoppage time.
Ferrell's driven shot fell for Jonny Allan inside the box and the striker forced a full length save from Trevor Carson.
Alan White shot wide early in the second half and then Madden's shot rebounded off Farman after he had been allowed to run at the Gateshead defence.
Allan's edge of the box drive was held by Carson and then Adams angled drive flew past the far post.
Gateshead were looking much livelier, Allan having a shot deflected wide, Ferrell suffering a similar feat.
From Winn's corner Allan headed on and Jones' header was tipped over the bar by Carson.
Winn varied the next corner which eventually fell to White whose nine yard shot was superbly saved by Carson.
Gateshead deservedly levelled after 67 minutes when Wake stooped to head captain Craig Baxter's near post cross into the bottom corner.
There was a much better tempo to Gateshead's play and Wake drove just wide from sub Josh Gillies' inside ball.
White then put a free header over the bar from Baxter's cross as Gateshead pressed for a winner.
Good link up play between Gillies and Wake six minutes from time created a good chance for Winn who shot weakly wide.
Farman saved comfortably from Craig Lynch while Nelthorpe curled a shot over at the other end in a much improved second half.
Madden was inches wide from 22 yards for Sunderland as both sides had to settle for a point.
Gateshead Res: Farman, Baxter, Brown, Winn, White, Jones, Baptist (Gillies 65), Ferrell, Wake, Allan (Schimmer 65), Nelthorpe
Subs (not used): Gilbert
Sunderland Res: Carson, Weir, Adams, Reed, Laing, Madden, Lynch, Wilson (Egan 60), Healy (Laidler 74) , Fletcher, Luscombe (Mars 81)
Subs (not used): Wilson (gk), Knott
Referee: Steve Smith (Darlington)
