Second half of season a disaster - Heed boss

GATESHEAD manager Carl Magnay admitted the second half of the National League season has been a 'disaster' after his side missed out on the National League play-off places.

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The Heed went into their final game of the season with Southend United knowing only a win would see them leapfrog their visitors and take a place in the play-offs.

However, a goalless draw meant the Shrimpers will now visit Rochdale in the eliminator round on Wednesday week as two former EFL clubs look to return to the 92.

For Gateshead, a challenging season on and off the pitch has come to a disappointing end and Magnay has stressed he understands the criticism aimed at him and his side and admitted results and performances have not been good enough.

He said: "It does (feel like a failure) and the fans, a lot of the negativity and criticism aimed at me, I totally understand it because if I was one of them and didn't know the innerworkings of this club, I would be the same.

"They see things from surface level, they see performances on the pitch, results and they have haven't been good enough. The performances have been nowhere near what they were exposed to in the first half of the season so it's natural.

"The quality we played with initially with Rob, we carried it, we had the team two points from the top of the league going into January.

"Then you have a sharp contrast with that in the second half of the season and, of course, that's going to bring negativity.