Speare saves Stanley

TWO breathtaking first half saves by Accrington goalkeeper Jamie Speare in the space of a minute helped the Reds to a point at the International Stadium.

They could have left with all three points, but for the referee and his assistant not seeing that the ball had crossed the Gateshead goalline in the 78th minute. Stanley gave a debut to teenage defender Duncan Robertshaw, following his release by Burnley and he acquitted himself well at right back.

The home side started strongly and in the 11th minute Lee Fitzgerald fired a dipping shot narrowly over the Reds crossbar. On 13 minutes a quickly taken free kick by Gareth McAlindon caught Stanley's defence napping but Fitzgerald's shot was superbly saved by Speare.

A minute later the Reds keeper made an even better save when he acrobatically turned over Steve Preen's header from close range when it looked certain that Gateshead would go in front.

Speare was called into action again on 25 minutes to save a long range free kick by McAlindon.

The second half began as the first had ended, a corner by Richie Alderson on 48 minutes was met by central defender Sam Kitchen but Speare turned his header over the crossbar.

On 63 minutes Gateshead substitute Steve Bowey found Preen who laid the ball square for Fitzgerald whose 20 yard shot was saved by Speare. Accrington came more into the game and on 69 minutes Marl Ceraolo found Russell Payne wide on the left wing, he crossed the unmarked Paul Mullin but he directed his header just wide of the goal.

Stanley thought they had scored on 78 minutes when substitute Jimmy Bell played across the far post where Mullin appeared to bundle the ball over the goal line, Gateshead goalkeeper Adrian Swan attempted to keep the ball out but it clearly crossed the goal line only for the referee and his assistant to wave play on.

Two minutes from time Reds Jonathan Smith got on the end of a deep cross from Brett Baxter, but his header was narrowly off target.

TWO breathtaking first half saves from Accrington goalkeeper Jamie Speare helped the Reds to a point at the International Stadium.

They felt they could have had all three had the referee adjudged that a 78th minute effort had gone over the line.

The home side started strongly and on 13 minutes a quickly taken free kick by Gareth McAlindon caught Stanley's defence napping but Fitzgerald's shot was superbly saved by Speare.

A minute later the Reds keeper made an even better save when he acrobatically turned over Steve Preen's header from close range when it looked certain that Gateshead would go in front. Speare was called into action again on 25 minutes to save a long range free kick by McAlindon.

Stanley thought they had scored on 78 minutes when Paul Mullin appeared to bundle the ball over the goal line but the referee waved play on.