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Already without the suspended Rob Hanby and Rory Prendergast and the injured Steve Price, the Blues were dealt another blow when Player of the Year Simon Collins reported unfit after hurting his back at work. Dean Jones moved into midfield alongside Matt Russell, whilst Gary Reece returned at right full-back.

Gateshead started the game the brighter of the two sides with the Blues having a scare early on when Gateshead broke down the right but, fortunately, the cross into the box was poor when  Rob Painter was unmarked in the box. Rob Bowman then headed wide from a corner on 11 minutes and a minute later Richie Alderson shot straight at Mark Wilkinson from 18 yards as Gateshead continued to threaten. The Blues created their first opening of the game on 17 minutes when a through ball from Matt Russell found Leroy Chambers in space in the box but he was soon pressurised and his shot lacked power, allowing Sam Russell to block his effort. Just 30 seconds later Alex Lawson should have given the visitors the lead but he fired high and wide from close range. The Blues responded with Pete Myers cutting in from the right before seeing his low 20 yard shot fly straight at Sam Russell. On 34 minutes Gateshead again missed a golden opportunity when Gareth McAlindon took the ball round Wilkinson but was forced wide. He pulled it back towards Lawson but the tall strike missed the ball completely with the goal at his mercy. Just before the break a strong run from Lawson saw his 18 yard shot deflected for a corner by Wilkinson.

Shortly after the restart Lawson again missed the target completely from the edge of the box after doing well to create the opening. On 64 minutes Andy Betts replaced Andy Evans with Graham Lewis moving up front alongside Chambers. On 75 minutes the Blues produced a great footballing move which started on the left and gradually switched to the right before Lewis found himself in space on the edge of the box but he shot high and wide. Two minutes later Lawson beat Mark Place and barged his way past Dean Jones on the edge of the box before blasting woefully wide from inside the box. Then on 81 minutes Lawson did well down the left before firing the ball across the box to Dave Southern at the far post. His attempted shot was deflected into the path of Dale Crawford who looked to have the simple task of tapping into an empty net from about 2 yards out but, incredibly, Wilkinson saved his weak shot on the line. Right at the death Lawson beat Wilkinson to a high cross but his header sailed over the crossbar.

The result means the Blues finish the season in 13th place - their best position for nine seasons. 

Frickley Athletic : Wilkinson, Reece, Gowen, Wordsworth (Griffin 70), D Jones, M Russell, Myers, Evans (Betts 64), Chambers, Lewis. Unused sub. White 

Gateshead : S Russell, McMahon, Morgan, Sunley (Agnew 86), R Jones, Bowman, Southern, Painter (Crawford 76), Lawson, McAlindon, Alderson (Todd 67)

Attendance : 149

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