Official Frickley Athletic Website

A disputed penalty led to Frickley being held to a draw by Gateshead in an incident packed UniBond Premier Division match which saw the Blues have three players booked and the visitors reduced to ten men.

The spot kick was awarded in the 59th minute when the assistant referee ruled that Steve Robinson had handled a shot when it appeared to be more of a case of ball to hand.

Adam Johnson beat Jon Hood with the penalty and the Frickley goalkeeper was booked for remarks he made to the referee, with Robinson and Lee Morris also receiving yellow cards for dissent in the next four minutes.

With the wind in their favour, the Blues started well, Morris putting a ball down the right for Paul Palmer who beat visiting goalkeeper Simon Bishop and hooked the ball into the middle, but it was cleared by James Curtis.

Mark Ward was only a couple of inches too high with an effort following a cross by Palmer three minutes later, but reward came in the 21st minute, Morris creating space on the right and whipping in a cross which Martin Thacker controlled and picked his spot from 20 yards.

Gateshead responded and Johnson beat the off-side trap in the 38th minute, only to see Hood block his shot at point blank range.

The visitors never look dangerous after the break until getting a fortunate equaliser, but it also stung Frickley into action, Ward picking out Morris in the 70th minute before racing to collect the return ball and force a fine save from Bishop with a 25 yard angled drive.

Four minutes later, a free-kick by Thacker was punched away by Bishop and Danny Walsh put the rebound over from 20 yards.

Gateshead were reduced to ten men in the 81st minute when Steven Istead was sent off for violent conduct, and the game gradually petered out in the strong wind.

Report by Peter Jordan

Official Frickley Athletic Website

www.frickleyafc.co.uk