Chorley 2, Gateshead 1: FA Cup joy for Magpies

In incessant teeming rain, the Magpies got off to a flying start, dominating the opening period of play and going 2-0 up in 25 minutes.

The Tynesiders responded well to the double setback and exerted promising spells of pressure during the remainder of the match without finding the killer final ball to unlock a resolute Chorley defence.

With fewer second-half opportunities it was nevertheless the home side who came closer to extending their lead.

Impressive leader of the Magpies’ attack Harry Cardwell deservedly put them ahead after 19 minutes.

A deeply-delivered corner reached Andy Halls in complete isolation beyond the far post and from his inviting return cross Cardwell rose highest to flick home a header from close range.

Cardwell was again involved in the second Chorley goal. Chasing Lewis Reilly’s probing pass into the box, he was upended by keeper James Montgomery and Reilly stepped up to convert the penalty emphatically.

Gateshead now determinedly began to find their stride but without seriously testing Matt Urwin before the break.

However, they were thrown a lifeline minutes after the restart when a Kallum Griffiths’ cross was sliced into his own net by the luckless Harvey Smith at the near post.

Niggling fouls by the harassed visitors led to bookings and from one free-kick Reilly drew a fine athletic save from Montgomery.

At the other end Urwin saved smartly from Greg Olley but that was as near as Gateshead came to saving the game.

With time running out, their centre-forward Rauiri Keating was shown a red card for a second bookable offence by ex-Serie A referee Claudio Gavillucci and then with the last kick of the match speedy Preston North End loanee Joe Rodwell-Grant broke away and rattled the visitors’ bar.

CHORLEY: Urwin, Halls, Leather, Smith,Baines, Newby, Calveley, Shenton, Miller, Cardwell (Rodwell-Grant, 64), Reilliy. Unused subs. Putnam, Baxter, McKenzie, Roberts, Awe, Dutton.