Dartford, Gateshead play out draw in Conference clash

Dartford and Gateshead played out a 1-1 draw in their Conference clash at Princes Park this evening.

The home side took the lead in the 10th minute when Jordan Chiedozie collected the ball and raided to the edge of the area before curling an effort with his right foot into the top corner.

Gateshead were level within minutes as Tom Allan headed in from close range from Matthew Pattison's corner from the right.

Dartford almost pushed back ahead when Ryan Hayes lifted a cross to the back post for the run of Luke Daley, whose header beat Joel Dixon, but Craig Baxter was there to clear his effort off the line.

The end-to-end nature of the game continued as the Heed won a free kick 25 yards from goal which was fired towards goal by Alex Rodman, but his strike clattered off the crossbar.

In the second half, Gateshead pushed for a winner when Kevin Saint-Luce raided upfield and teed up Rodman on the edge of the box, but his shot was well saved by Deren Ibrahim.

Dartford upped the ante late in the game as they thought they had scored when the ball was bundled home from close range, but the strike was disallowed for a foul on Dixon.

Chiedozie nearly grabbed a winner when he turned his man by checking onto his right foot, but his shot from just outside the box sailed over the bar as both teams settled for a point.