The result, in tandem with both Yeovil Town and Torquay United both suffering defeat elsewhere on Tuesday night, means that Marc White’s side are 7 points ahead of the drop zone as 2 games now remain this term.
Five changes were made to the side which started in Saturday’s comeback win over Altrincham; Isaac Philpot, Dan Gallagher and Bobby-Joe Taylor all coming in to form a back four with captain Tony Craig, Nicky Wheeler starting out wide in place of Seb Bowerman and Harry Ottaway partnering Ryan Seager up front.
With the original fixture postponed back in January, availability of some players for this game was limited, in addition to Joe Cook and George Francomb also carrying knocks from the weekend and Jason Prior absent due to his partner expecting to go into labour imminently. In the circumstances, not dissimilar to the FA Trophy match at Yeovil earlier this season, Wanderers were set up in a 4-4-2 formation aiming to be resolute and play on the counter.
The early exchanges were quite open as attacking play swayed back and forth; Marcus Dinanga angling shots wide of target after breaking into the box from the left channel, Wanderers peppering the goal up the other end with Ottaway having consecutive efforts blocked before Josh Taylor tried to lift the ball over ‘Heed keeper Filip Marschall after he commited himself out from goal, but the effort dropped just wide.
Gateshead skipper Adam Campbell was becoming increasingly key instigating chances down the right as his team began to establish control; Wheeler and Gallagher getting in vital blocks and Dinanga again going close hooking the ball wide from just outside the six yard box.
Lincoln produced an outstanding diving save to deny Ed Francis free kick aiming for the top left corner of goal, and just before half-time Dinanga spurned an excellent chance, meeting Stephen Wearne’s cross with a downward header, planting the effort beyond the near post.
Into the second half Wanderers became increasingly sat back, Craig with a couple of timely sliding blocks not long after the restart, and midway through the half heroics from the Dan’s Lincoln and Gallagher denied Gateshead’s best chances of the night. A measured long ball enabled sub Greg Olley to go one-on-one with Lincoln, the keeper committing himself and bravely pulling off a save before Gallagher kept out the rebound effort practically lying down in front of goal, deflecting the shot away with his chest.
Lincoln was equal to firm strikes from Francis and Wearne in the latter stages, but with Bobby-Joe Taylor and Jimmy Muitt often dropping in to join the defensive back line, quality of chances for The Tynesiders was diminishing, and through 4 minutes of added on time, Wanderers held out to get over the line.
Registering a third straight clean sheet on their travels, Marc White’s side again demonstrated the resolute qualities of recent weeks which have seen a return of 19 points from the last 10 games, ultimately ensuring survival at the end of their inaugural season in the National League.
Up next for Wanderers is their final away game of the campaign, a trip to Wealdstone this Saturday in a 3pm kick off at Grosvenor Vale.
Dan Stobbart
Gateshead: (4-4-2): 1 Filip Marschall, 2 Robbie Tinkler, 3 Ethan Pye, 6 Louis Storey, 18 Ed Francis; 44 Stephen Wearne, 17 Connor Pani (12 Dan Ward 37′), 33 Callum Whelan, 42 Kamil Conteh (10 Greg Olley 55′) ; 11 Adam Campbell (c), 9 Marcus Dinanga (15 Aaron Martin 79′)
Unused Subs: 31 James Montgomery (GK), 8 Owen Bailey
Yellow Cards: Pye 64′, Storey 81′
Dorking Wanderers (4-4-2): 1 Dan Lincoln, 2 Isaac Philpot, 20 Dan Gallagher, 27 Tony Craig (c), 3 Bobby-Joe Taylor; 7 Jimmy Muitt, 17 Josh Taylor, 18 Luke Moore, 16 Nicky Wheeler (22 Barry Fuller 46′); 9 Ryan Seager (25 Aaron Kuhl 81′), 25 Harry Ottaway
Unused Sub: 12 Calum Kennedy
Yellow Card: J Taylor 45+2’
Referee: Matthew Corlett
Attendance: 818 (55 Wanderers Supporters)
Man Of The Match: Louis Storey (Official Home Selection)
