Heed make point after an 'abysmal' first half

NATIONAL LEAGUE / NATIONAL LGE NORTH

- with MARK CARRUTHERS

ALUN Armstrong described Gates-head’s first-half performance in their home draw with Truro City as ‘abysmal’ as his side were forced to claw back a two-goal deficit to earn a point at the International Stadium.

With blustery conditions causing problems for both sides in each half, it was the south coast outfit that made the most of the wind during the opening 45 minutes as they punished some comical Gateshead defending to seize control of the game.

An opening goal arrived with just five minutes on the clock as Dom Johnson-Fisher scored from a tight angle before Christian Oxlade-Chamberlain doubled the lead just before halftime with a finish from close-range.

After some stern words during the break, Gateshead found a way back into the game when halftime substitute Kain Adom reduced the arrears with a fine finish eight minutes after the restart.

The point was secured as veteran striker Frank Nouble beat the offside trap and kept his cool to land a share of the spoils for his side on a day when Armstrong felt his players let supporters down with a dismal first-half performance.

He told The Journal: “I’m not having the start in that first half, it was abysmal and it’s just not good enough from us.