Gateshead 1-1 Forest Green Rovers

19/08/2012, by Jeff Bowron

Gateshead remain unbeaten at the end of a tough first week in the Conference Premier but dropped two points right at the death against Forest Green Rovers.

The Heed led until injury time when right back Carl Magnay gave away a penalty for a foul on Reece Styche which was dispatched by the Rovers striker.

Both sides have five points from the first three games but Gateshead boss Ian Bogie was concerned at the return of last season's habit of conceding late goals.

"Conceding injury time goals cost us a place in the play-offs last season," said Bogie "it was our nemesis and we mustn't fall into that habit again.

"It's bitterly disappointing because we should have seen the game out and Styche was no threat to our goal when he was fouled.

"We weren't at our best this afternoon but these are the games where you have to grind out victory and we should have done that.

"Seven points from nine would have been brilliant but we've faced three of the fancied sides in Luton, Mansfield and Forest Green and have made a good start.

"It has been a great effort from the lads and we'll now prepare for Friday night's game at Stockport County."

The west country visitors were the livelier side in the opening 25 minutes but Gateshead finished the half strongly and then had the better of the second period.

Adam Bartlett had to make an important one-on-one save from James Rowe early in the game after Reece Styche had skipped past Ben Clark.

Rowe put another effort on the spin over the bar from Magno Vieira's cross before Josh Gillies' deflected strike was turned past the post by Sam Russell at full stretch.

Gillies drove a free kick into the defensive wall after a Jamie Turley foul on Chris Bush, the left back's rebound shot also blocked.

The lively Gillies then set up what should have been the opener for Nathan Fisher two minutes from the break.

The striker, however, side-footed straight at former Quaker Russell from 15 yards to ensure the first half ended goalless.

Micky Cummins volleyed over after the break before set play specialists Gateshead broke the deadlock on 53 minutes.

Gillies delivered a free kick from wide on the left near halfway which Fisher bundled past Russell.

Fisher could then have made it two after he was set up by the influential Liam Hatch, but curled the ball well wide.

Hatch headed powerfully wide from Gillies' corner and then wriggled away from two defenders to shoot just over from 22 yards.

Vieira chipped over at the other end and then Rovers sub James Norwood flashed a centre across goal, Vieira eventually putting the ball into the side netting.

Bartlett saved from Styche and Rowe late on before Hatch robbed Aarran Racine on 89 minutes to home in on goal - only to stab the ball inches wide.

Within two minutes Styche had turned the tables inducing a fouled from Magnay inside the box to earn Forest Green a late point and frustrate Bogie's men.

Gateshead: Bartlett,Magnay, Bush (Wilson 88),Cummins, Clark, Curtis, Gillies, Turnbull, Hatch, Fisher (Donaldson 76), Boyle (Marwood 63).

Subs (not used): Nixon (gk), McGorrigan.

Goal: Fisher (53)

Booking: Magnay (90)

Forest Green: Russell, Bangura (Taylor 76), Turley, Styche, Vieira (Marsh 69), Collins, Oshodi, Asafu-Adjaye, Wright (Norwood 46), Rowe, Racine
Subs (not used):Bulman (gk), Koroma

Goal: Styche-pen (90+1)

Bookings: Styche (80), Collins (90)

Referee: Anthony Backhouse (Brampton)

Attendance: 531

Liam Hatch