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Wrexham 0 Gateshead 0 (0-1 on Aggregate)

Date: Tuesday 6th April 2010, by Tynesider

A battling 0-0 draw in Wales saw Gateshead advance to the next round of European competition 1-0 on aggregate. With Paul Farman helping to gain the Heed a vital point, the next round (fingers crossed) may see the Tynesiders up against Newport County next season.

Described as a "bore-draw" by the Wrexham press, the Heed Army were delighted to pick up a point on our travels for the first-time since Histon away. Too many times this season Gateshead have gone for it away from home and exposed our backline to punishment, with the outcome being a long trip home pointless. So to pick-up a point in Wales is a great result and the management and players got the tactics spot on and most importantly battled away to earn it.

Chances in the match were at a premium and conditions didn't help with a gale blowing across the poor Racecourse pitch. Both defences were on top with Chris Swailes and Pau Heckingbottom excellent at the heart of the Gateshead defence. Substitute Wayne Phillips came the closest to winning it for the Tynesiders as he ran at the Wrexham defence in the second-half to fire from distance at the bottom left corner, only for the goalkeeper to turn it round the post (with the referee failing to award a corner).

The final moments of the match saw Wrexham down to 10 men as Luke Holden was sent off for a second bookable offence. Wrexham pushed on to win the match with Gareth Taylor coming on to partner Andy Mangan up front, but Paul Farman and Gateshead's backline held out for a crucial point.

Gateshead: Farman, Baxter, Swailes, Heckingbottom, Cave, Winn (Hurren 57), Turnbull, Ferrell, Parkinson (Phillips 46), Clare, Armstrong (Wake 73). Subs Not Used: Provett, Jones.

On the injury front: There is the possibility that James Curtis could be out for the remainder of the season as he waits on a scan, but Carl Jones was back on the bench and Martin Brittain is making good progress. Kris Gate may also make it back for the last couple of games.