Gateshead Reserves 0-1 Hartlepool United Reserves

Gateshead reserves were involved in their lowest scoring game of the campaign as Hartlepool's second string edged a tight match on Tyneside.

Pools were ahead after six minutes with a soft goal that exposed indecisive home defending.

Dylan Purvis swung in a deep cross from the right touchline that evaded Craig Baxter, hit Irish striker Denis Behan and bobbled past Paul Farman on the line.

Middlesbrough Academy trialist Kieran Edwards was just wide from 24 yards and then Josh Gillies had the chance to set Brian Wake free on half way.

The midfielder's pass, however, was cut out by Darren Holden.

Great work from Gillies on half way released Baxter and when his cross fell to Ashley Winn the schemer's 22 yard drive whistled just wide.

Winn then drove forward to power a shot that flew past the angle as Gateshead continued to ask questions.

A long Farman clearance dropped for Wake whose long distance volley was straight into the arms of Andy Rafferty.

With Wake and Gillies typically busy Gateshead could count themselves unlucky to be behind at half-time.

Pools, howevver, almost doubled their lead straight after the restart when Michael Mackay's break saw Callum Hassan head onto the roof of the net.

Gateshead were unfortunate not to level on the hour when Wake's lay-off saw Edwards crash a shot against the bar.

Pools had nullified the home threat and Hassan had another chance from Behan's through ball but shot straight at Farman.

Steven Baptist had a great chance to equalise on 75 minutes from Wake's square pass but dallied and was crowded out.

Behan glanced a header wide of the far post after Wake and Gillies had been taken off with a view to Saturday's Trophy game at Blyth.

The pair had been Gateshead's best two players with Carl Jones again putting in a shift at the back and Andy Ferrell solid at left back.

Marwood set up a late half chance for Edwards but the Teesider's sidefooted effort was held by Rafferty diving to his left.

Gateshead had struggled to put their passing game together on an increasingly heavy pitch that cut up badly.

Gateshead Res: Farman, Baxter, Ferrell, Winn, Jones, Gilbert, Gillies (J.Bogie 77), Edwards, Wake (Young 77), Allan (Marwood 46), Baptist

Hartlepool Res: Rafferty, Purvis, Holden, Humphries (Richards 46), Johnson, Bjornsson, Mackay, Yantorno (Rowbotham 66), Hassan, Behan, Martin (Hawkins 78)
Subs (not used): Pearson, Johnson

Referee: Richard Clark (Morpeth)