On the face of it this was a heavy defeat for Consett as they went out of the Durham Challenge Cup, but the scoreline flattered the home side who certainly were not three goals better than The Steelmen other than in the area that matters most, taking chances.

There was plenty of action to keep the sparse crowd entertained and it was Consett who almost made the first breakthrough after five minutes. Scott Wilson’s pass found Chris Hodgson unmarked on the edge of the area but his first touch let him down and the ball ran through to keeper Waind. A minute later though Gateshead took the lead with their first attack. Shotton’s cross from the right went over Johnny Brown’s head and fell nicely for Coates who drilled a shot across keeper Stuart Kelly and into the far corner of the net.

Gateshead got on top after that early goal and almost added to their lead when Kelly, back peddling, tipped over Coates’ dipping shot. After 14 minutes a ball over the defence found Flannigan in on goal but after rounding the keeper he shot across the face of goal from a tight angle. Two minutes later Harrison burst into the penalty area but his shot hit the upright with Kelly beaten.

Consett were delivered a blow after 18 minutes when striker Colin McLeod went off injured to be replaced by Neil Lowdon. Strangely though that signalled the start of a good spell for The Steelmen. On the half hour Darren Grimes delivered a good cross to the near post but Wilson’s volley from six yards went wide. Five minutes later Hodgson robbed keeper Waind on the edge of the area but he shot over the bar as defenders scurried back to cover the goalline.

But Consett were hit by two goals in three minutes just before the break. Both had suspicions of offside about them but the ref’s assistant saw nothing amiss. After 38 minutes Flannigan ran onto a through ball to round Kelly and score with ease, then in a similar move he set up Coates to tap in from close range. Kelly was injured in the build up to the third goal and was replaced in goal by Andy Colling at the interval.

Half Time Gateshead 3-0 Consett

Consett got back into the game when they were awarded a penalty three minutes into the second period. Hodgson, heading towards goal, was clipped from behind by Dixon who was harshly sent off for his trouble. Tony Halliday fired his spot kick high into the net.

After 62 minutes Colling was forced to save with his legs from Colvin’s swerving shot, while at the other end Halliday created himself an opening by beating a defender but his lofted shot was well held by Waind. After 76 minutes Colling was in action again as he blocked Coates’ effort.

The Steelmen lost their second keeper of the night when Colling got injured when he landed badly after turning away a cross. The stretcher was called for and the unlucky keeper was taken to hospital with suspected fractured ribs. Midfielder Darren Grimes had to don the gloves for the final few minutes and with all three subs used The Steelmen were reduced to ten men. To add insult to injury Gateshead added an undeserved 4th goal in stoppage time when Coates mishit cross deceived Grimes and floated into the net to give the striker a hat-trick.

Full Time Gateshead 4-1 Consett

ANDREW PEARSON