> 31.3.2007

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Despite taking a lead in the first half, the Pitmen were pegged back by the UniBond League's form team with a goal seconds before the interval, meaning Hednesford's play-off hopes are still alive - for the moment

Manager Phil Starbuck was missing defenders Ross Adams and Jamie March again, but was able to give a full debut to Lee Soar, who had been injured since joining the club a month ago. Warren Beattie had returned to Coca Cola Championship side Preston North End after his loan spell ended last week

 The visitors, buoyed by a 4-3 win over AFC Telford in midweek, began well and had the ball in the net on twelve minutes. Ian Clark's shot was well saved by Ryan Young, but watched as Jamie Harwood tapped home the rebound from close range; the assistant referee's offside flag halted their celebrations, however

 The Pitmen grew in confidence, with Darren Alexander causing problems for Gateshead with his power and physical presence. A goal duly arrived on nineteen minutes, with Ross Dyer heading a Phil Hadland cross back across goal for Jon Douglas to slide in and knock the ball home from close range - his first goal for the Pitmen

The hosts still lived on their nerves however, with Gateshead in good goalscoring form of late, always offering a threat. Indeed, they had the ball in the Hednesford net again on twenty nine minutes when Chris Hughes fired home, but the goal was ruled out for handball

 Gateshead's pressure eventually told right on half time, when Dave Southern, the top scorer in the UniBond Premier this season, got hold of a ball from Harwood and fired past Young with the last meaningful kick of the half

The Pitmen emerged far more focused in the second period, forcing Gateshead onto their heels with your typical Hednesford 'up and at 'em' style of play

 There were a number of lively challenges from both sides that earned a chat with the referee, before skipper Chris White was involved in a horrendous clash of heads with the visitors' Paul Talbot in the centre circle on fifty eight minutes. After a few minutes of treatment on the pitch, a blood-stained 'Chalky' went off to receive a number of stitches in a nasty looking cut. He admitted defeat in his attempts to play on and was substituted by Dave Whittaker five minutes later

Danny Bacon could have won it for the Pitmen later on, twisting his way through the defence but firing wide, before Hadland's drive cleared the crossbar after he had cut in from the wing

 On seventy six minutes, Tom Marshall almost snatched a winner for the Pitmen with a rising shot that was tipped over the bar by Gateshead keeper Peter Keen

 At the other end, new boy Soar and Gary Sucharewycz were doing a superb job in marshalling the dangerous Southern, limiting the Gateshead hit man to long range efforts and scraps from set-pieces

A fair result upon reflection, but not one that helps the Pitmen much in their quest to seal a play-off spot  cds

Witton Albion (H)

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Action from Keys Park:   1. Gary Sucharewycz makes a run into the area  2. Darren Alexander is beaten in the air  3. Goal! Jon Douglas celebrates his first ever goal for the Pitmen

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