AFC Telford 1 Gateshead 2 - match report

At times in recent weeks the task facing AFC Telford United has looked as daunting as that which confronted legendary Salopian Captain Matthew Webb when he prepared to swim the English Channel.

Captain Webb was one of a number of historical greats from the area who were honoured in a special Dawley Day at the New Bucks Head on Saturday.

The initiative added hundreds of extra supporters onto the gate but could not prevent Telford slipping to a third consecutive defeat against a strong Gateshead side and dropping to within two points of the Blue Square Bet Premier relegation zone.

Bucks boss Andy Sinton sprung a pre-match surprise as he brought Craig King in from the cold to play on the right of midfield.

And that was one of four changes to the side that lost at Forest Green last Tuesday – with Dan Preston, Greg Mills and Andy Brown also included.

Phil Trainer was left out for the first time this season while Courtney Pitt and Craig Farrell were also omitted. Stuart Whitehead missed out through injury.

The shake-up could not prevent Gateshead from bossing the first half though, their pace and power a constant source of problems for the home side.

An opening goal could have come as early as the 10th minute, Kris Gate blasting goalwards off a Kyle Nix corner and Telford midfielder Jon Adams making a brilliant goal-line clearance by the post.

But there was still little surprise when Gateshead did break the deadlock just short of the half hour – and it came courtesy of a fine flowing move.

It was Nix who played a measured pass to expose Telford left-back Sean Newtown, who had let opposing Eddie Odhiambo get past him on the overlap.

Odhiambo burst towards the byline and slotted an inch-perfect square ball for Yemi Odubade, who didn't even have to break stride as he side-footed into the far corner of goalkeeper Ryan Young's net.

Telford looked hungrier after the break and the tempo visibly rose as they started to exert pressure of their own.

Brown forced a save out of keeper Jak Alnwick, a youngster on loan from Newcastle United, while there were loud appeals for a penalty when a Will Salmon cross struck the arm of Jeff Henderson.

The home side's efforts were rewarded after 20 minutes when they finally drew level off a free-kick. Mills curled it in from wide out on the right and Preston, with nobody to challenge him inside the six-yard box, rose to head in triumphantly.

Unfortunately, the goal only served to shock Gateshead back into action and they started to look dangerous again – with substitute Martin Brittain making a huge impact on the right wing.

Brittian, who has only just returned from injury, looked unplayable at times and it was his cross that led to the winner nine minutes from time.

Preston did his best to keep out Jon Shaw's header but could only trap the ball between his thighs as it crossed the line – though reports in some quarters giving it as an own goal looked harsh.

Telford, to their credit finished strongly, though their push for a second equaliser was in vain. But for those filled with doubts today, it is worth remembering the example of Captain Webb.

In August 1875 he was attempting to achieve something never done before – and despite an aborted first attempt, his perseverance was ultimately rewarded.

There's a lesson in there somewhere.

Match analysis by CHRIS HUDSON