Aldershot Town 0, Gateshead 2

AFTER two tentative steps forward, Aldershot Town returned to the EBB Stadium only to make another faltering stride back toward relegation.

Gateshead extended their own unbeaten run to seven matches under new manager Ben Clark – a run which has taken them into the National League’s play-off places – but The Shots, having started positively, once again faded badly and ended the game well beaten.

“Once we conceded, it was the same old same old,” admitted manager Gary Waddock, who expressed his concern for the long-term futures of several of his under-performing young players.

“You have to stand up to the challenge and be mentally strong. I’m worried about these players, that their careers might be over before they start. I don’t know how they’re going to react. Goals change games but you’ve got to show some pride, give a response and show that we care, and we didn’t. We have to fight for this club. I care deeply about it, and I know the players do, but actions speak louder than words. It’s unacceptable, and games are running out.”

The Heed started their day at 6.15am, having decided to make the 610-mile round trip in one day due to cost-cutting measures, but two second-half goals made it all worthwhile.

Both teams favoured defensive solidity in the first half, at the expense of attacking flair, and inevitably played out a lacklustre 45 minutes. Initially buoyed by the return of Bernard Mensah from a leg injury which had threatened to keep him out for several weeks, Aldershot Town nonetheless created the two best opportunities of the half, as Mensah’s angled drive and John Goddard’s near-post flick were both parried by Gateshead goalkeeper Aynsley Pears.

A solid first-half display should have provided the platform for a more vibrant showing after the break – and within 20 seconds Goddard was afforded the freedom of midfield to hit a swerving 25-yard shot which Pears grabbed at the second attempt – but thereafter the hosts went backwards.

Gateshead, in contrast, bided their time perfectly and seized their chance to strike a decisive blow. Adventurous wing-back Scott Barrow again burst down the left to deliver an inviting cross which Connor Thomson, having found ample space in the Shots penalty area, headed powerfully across Jake Cole into the net.

“Great credit to Gateshead for what they’ve achieved with the problems they’ve had,” agreed a magnanimous Waddock. “They performed well in the second half, but we didn’t.”

Thomson could have added a second himself, only for Cole to make a strong save at the striker’s feet, but Cameron Salkeld made the crucial impact within five minutes of replacing Thomson.

Greg Olley and Tom Devitt attempted to combine on a short corner routine but when Devitt’s flick was half blocked inside the area, Salkeld lashed the loose ball into the roof of the net.

Cole had to prevent a third, palming away Salkeld’s rising shot after he broke clear, but Aldershot Town knew from painful experience that there was no way back once they fell behind.

Aldershot Town: Cole; Lelan (McDonagh 72), Menayese, Elokobi; Bernard, Gallagher (Fenelon 81) Howell, Booty; Mensah, Grant (Berkeley-Agyepong 81), Goddard. Subs (not used): McCoy, Finney.

Gateshead: Pears; Tinkler, Devitt, Williamson, Mellish, Barrow; White, Olley (Hunter 90), Forbes; Thomson (Salkeld 80), Rigg. Subs (not used): Lumsden, O’Donnell, Maloney.

Attendance: 1,885.