Match ends, Grimsby Town 1, Gateshead 1.
GrimsbyGrimsby Town1GatesheadGateshead1
Gateshead held Grimsby to a draw in their Conference Premier play-off semi-final first-leg tie.
Josh Walker put Colin Larkin through to score as the Heed took an early lead.
Craig Disley headed in Scott Kerr's pass to level and the home side went close with efforts from Ross Hannah, Alex Rodman and Lenell John-Lewis.
The visitors continued to defend resolutely to make sure it is all square going into Sunday's second leg at the International Stadium.
Gateshead have entered the play-offs as the form team, having won eight games in a run that now sees them unbeaten in 13 matches.
And they were ahead after seven minutes when Larkin coolly finished across James McKeown
But the Mariners, with just one win in five games, showed the most adventure for the rest of the contest as Rodman saw his shot deflected over, before Disley headed in the equaliser.
Gateshead keeper Adam Bartlett was kept busy in the second half, saving well from Rodman and John-Lewis and then denying Scott Neilson at the death.
Line-ups
Grimsby
Formation 4-4-2
- 13McKeown
- 2HattonBooked at 67mins
- 3Thomas
- 4Kerr
- 5PearsonBooked at 4mins
- 30Boyce
- 11Neilson
- 8Disley
- 17Hannah
- 14John-LewisSubstituted forCookat 86'minutes
- 23Rodman
Substitutes
- 9Cook
- 18Thanoj
- 20Southwell
- 26McLaughlin
- 27Fyfield
Gateshead
Formation 4-3-3
- 1Bartlett
- 2Magnay
- 16Baxter
- 8Turnbull
- 5CurtisBooked at 39mins
- 6Clark
- 17WalkerBooked at 77mins
- 29Oster
- 7LarkinSubstituted forO'Donnellat 59'minutes
- 25MaddisonSubstituted forHatchat 64'minutes
- 18Marwood
Substitutes
- 9Hatch
- 11Cummins
- 19Lester
- 21Ramshaw
- 38O'Donnell
- Referee:
- Chris Kavanagh
- Attendance:
- 5,234
Match Stats
Home TeamGrimsbyAway TeamGateshead
- Possession
- Home55%
- Away45%
- Shots
- Home17
- Away4
- Shots on Target
- Home8
- Away1
- Corners
- Home0
- Away0
- Fouls
- Home12
- Away8
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Grimsby Town 1, Gateshead 1.
Post update
Foul by Ross Hannah (Grimsby Town).
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James Curtis (Gateshead) wins a free kick.
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Foul by Andrew Boyce (Grimsby Town).
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Liam Hatch (Gateshead) wins a free kick.
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Foul by Liam Hatch (Gateshead).
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Andrew Boyce (Grimsby Town) wins a free kick.
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Corner, Grimsby Town.
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Attempt saved. Scott Neilson (Grimsby Town) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved.
Post update
Corner, Gateshead.
Substitution
Substitution, Grimsby Town. Andy Cook replaces Lenell John-Lewis.
Booking
Josh Walker (Gateshead) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Post update
Foul by Josh Walker (Gateshead).
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Aswad Thomas (Grimsby Town) wins a free kick.
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Attempt saved. Alex Rodman (Grimsby Town) left footed shot from outside the box is saved.
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Foul by Liam Hatch (Gateshead).
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Scott Neilson (Grimsby Town) wins a free kick.
Post update
Offside, Grimsby Town. Ross Hannah tries a through ball, but Ross Hannah is caught offside.
Post update
Foul by Scott Kerr (Grimsby Town).
