Dan Cameron: 8/10
Maybe slightly suspect positioning for Gateshead’s goal, leaving a bit too much of the far post open but made some fantastic saves late on to keep the scores level.
Timothee Pembele**: 6/10**
As you’d expect from Pembele, a little too casual defensively but then provided an attacking threat on the overlap. Twice he was played in with balls over the top, once he took an age to make a decision and the ball was cleared and then he picked out Jaydon Jones with a really good cut back.
Zak Johnson: 6/10
Steady enough at the back other than one sloppy bit of play where he gave the ball away on the edge of the box and was lucky to get away with a foul when he tried to make up for it. was bailed out by Jenson Jones.
Ben Kindon: 7/10
Was a rock at the back and used the ball really well, springing forward into space when the opportunity arose.
Jenson Jones**: 8/10**
A good all round display from left back, defended well with Gateshead coming down his side often but also got forward a lot and was instrumental for the equaliser with a delicious through ball to Moore.
Jay Matete: 5/10
Played in a more advanced midfield position and looked quite rusty, gave the ball away a number of times and didn’t look to be on the same wavelength as his teammates at times. Very poor penalty in the shoot-out too.
Jaydon Jones: 8/10
Acquitted himself really well in midfield, passed the ball well and showed plenty of quality to get away from the home side’s press. Had a couple of really good chances to score, one where he blasted well over from Pembele’s cross and then after jinking inside he saw his show cleared off the line. Had his penalty saved but was a very good bit of goalkeeping.
Ben Middlemas (C): 7/10
Was assured as usual in the middle of the pitch and was very positive when on the ball, did get a bit sloppy with his passing as the game ticked on though.
Abdoullah Ba: 7/10
Scored the equaliser after the got himself on the end of Moore’s rebounded shot, put in some really good crosses early on and had a reasonable game on the wing.
Timur Tutierov: 7/10
Typically strong running from Tutierov down the left wing, almost scored himself when a cross from Ba found him but the goalkeeper saved his effort and then sent Moore away on goal only for the goalkeeper to make another save.
Ethan Moore: 7/10
Did everything but score, hit the crossbar from 25 yards out in the first half, was sent through by Tutierov and showed great pace to get himself an opportunity on goal but was unlucky that the goalkeeper made a really good save. Had a hand in the equaliser after his shot rebounded to Ba.
Substitutes
Finlay Holcroft**: 7/10**
Came on for Johnson at half time and played well in the middle of defence.
Rhys Walsh: 5/10
Struggled a little bit when he came on, made some good runs down the wing but then ran into cul-de-sacs and got boxed out.
Archie Lightfoot**:** 6/10
A steady performance at left back after replacing Jenson Jones.
Man of the Match: Dan Cameron
I thought he got himself a little bit out of position for Gateshead’s goal but more than made up for it with some great second half saves, with one in particular in injury time keeping the team in the game. Was also positive when high balls were thrown into the box by the home side.