IRON FACE THE WRATH OF HEED

SCUNTHORPE United last played at Gateshead back in 1957 on their way to the old Third Division North title – this time they are heading for the sixth tier of English football.

- Jeff Bowron

The Iron won 2-1 on Tyneside six decades ago but, just like fellow strugglers Yeovil in midweek, they failed to lay a glove on a resurgent and inform Gateshead.

The Heed strolled to a fourth straight league win in their own quest to avoid the National League trapdoor, despite being without the services of seven players.

They were already two goals to the good – courtesy of strikes from Greg Olley and StephenWearne – when Iron midfielder Tom Pugh was sent off seven minutes before the break for lashing out at Kamil Conteh.

That rendered the second half a formality, attack against defence, pragmatism from Gateshead and damage limitation for an insiped Scunthorpe outfit.