GATESHEAD 1, ALDERSHOT TOWN 1

SCOTT Rendell gave further credence to both personal and collective resurgence by securing a valuable point for Aldershot against fellow National League play-off challengers Gateshead.

In extending their unbeaten run to four games, the visitors were the better side for long periods, but ultimately only had Rendell’s strong finish – his sixth goal in as many games – to show for a pleasing afternoon’s work.

“We played very well in the first half, against a team in a similar position to us, but we need to be clinical, ruthless,” said hard-to-please manager Gary Waddock.

“If you’re dominant in any part of the game, you have to make it count.” But he conceded: “The fans were magnificent again and we’re all going home with something, when at a place like this it could easily have been nothing. It keeps the run going and it’s another point away from home.”

This was Gateshead’s eighth home draw of the season and much of the first half was a battle between the Tynesiders’ defensive resolve and the Shots’ attacking guile.

Neil Aspin’s men threw their bodies in the way of several good chances as Cheye Alexander and Idris Kanu combined well down the right to exploit the gaps left by full-back Jamal Fyfield.

From such a source, Shamir Fenelon scuffed a shot wastefully wide, while efforts from Rendell and Kanu were also blocked.

Gateshead also had their moments. Jake Cole bundled Patrick McLaughlin’s shot around the post before Alexander cleared a Manny Smith header off the line.

Seconds later, on 35 minutes, The Heed were in front. Wes York swung in a cross from the left and Jordan Burrow guided his header across goal and into the net.

Crucially, Aldershot responded well and were behind for just six minutes. Kundai Benyu sent Jake Gallagher bursting forward and his incisive pass invited Rendell to angle a shot across Dan Hanford into the net.

Immediately, it was almost two for the Shots as Bernard Mensah’s looping shot was deflected inches wide of the far post, and Rendell went close with a shot on the turn. Fenelon’s rising snap shot from outside the area was superbly tipped over by Hanford, and the visitors didn’t want half-time to come.

It was Gateshead’s turn to come back strongly on the restart. Cole had to scramble Dion Conroy’s sliced clearance away from goal. Then Gus Mafuta was gifted possession and slid a low pass through an unguarded goalmouth to York who contrived to scoop the ball over the bar at the far post when it seemed harder to miss.

Another McLaughlin shot flashed past the post and Smith put an opportunist lob over the top.

But it was Aldershot who put in the stronger finish. Hanford raced off his line to deny Rendell a carbon-copy of his goal.

And when Liam Hogan slipped in covering Callum Reynolds’ high ball, striker Rendell was left one-on- one with Hanford, only to shoot weakly straight at the keeper.

There was still danger at the other end, though, with Anthony Straker clearing a Bolton header off the line and Cole diving to save Bell’s low follow-up.

After Gary Waddock had earlier in the week challenged his team to improve their away form – this was undoubtedly a positive result for Aldershot after their long trip north.

Gateshead: Hanford; Hogan, M Smith, Bolton, Fyfield; Brundle, Mafuta, McLaughlin, York; Jones (Bell 72), Burrow. Subs (not used): G Smith, Johnson, MacDonald, Hannant. Booked: Mafuta, Bolton.

Aldershot: Cole; Alexander, Conroy, Reynolds, Straker; Mensah (Giles 82), Gallagher, Benyu, Kanu; Fenelon (McClure 73), Rendell. Subs (not used): Evans, Kellermann, M Smith.

Referee: Martin Coy.

Attendance: 653 (129 away).

Aldershot will be expected to extend their undefeated sequence when they host bottom side York City at the EBB?Stadium this Saturday.