Carlisle United were held to a goalless draw by Gateshead at Brunton Park.
Despite creating plenty of chances, United couldn’t find a way past Adam Desbois in the visitors’ goal.
Mark Hughes stuck with the same starting eleven from last weekend’s win over Braintree Town.
Both sides started with intent, and both had goals ruled out for offside within the first ten minutes, with Stephen Wearne being unfortunately flagged for the Blues.
The visitors came close to taking the lead less than a minute later, when Keaton Ward smashed a dipping half-volley against the crossbar after the ball fell kindly to him following a long throw.
Morgan Feeney came close to breaking the deadlock after managing to get on the end of a long ball from a deep free kick.
Hugh Parker, still looking for his first goal for the club, was sent through following a brilliant ball through by Wearne, but his effort was saved at close range by Desbois.
United took control for the rest of the first half with Regan Linney creating several chances for himself out of nothing, but Desbois was equal to them.
HALF-TIME: Carlisle United 0-0 Gateshead
The visiting Heed Army came close to taking the lead quickly after the restart through substitute Josh Anifowose, whose goal-bound effort was brilliantly cleared off the line by Feeney.
David Ajiboye, a danger throughout, was unfortunate not to score, after his powerful effort crashed off the Gateshead post.
United pressed high up the pitch throughout the match and managed to win the ball back through Harvey Macadam, who found Wearne, but the midfielder’s shot was straight at Desbois.
Jack Ellis had a great opportunity less than three minutes later after being set up by Ajiboye, but his effort flew over the bar from close range.
Linney, United’s number 10, dragged an effort narrowly wide of goal from close range, after Alex Gilliead showed brilliant determination to win the ball back on the edge of the box.
The Blues, pressing for a winner in the final 20 minutes, hit the woodwork again after Linney won the ball back off Rio Patterson-Powell, but his effort was agonisingly wide of the target, clipping the post.
Ephraim Yeboah, making his home debut, came close late on, but yet again United couldn’t find a way past Desbois.
Carlisle would push for a winner but were unable to break down a resolute Gateshead defence.
FULL-TIME: Carlisle United 0-0 Gateshead
Teams:
Carlisle United: Breeze, Harper, Thomas, Feeney, (C), Ajiboye (Yeboah 69’), Linney, Wearne, Ellis (Davies 69’), Gilliead, Parker (Wyke 69’), Macadam
Unused subs: Mair, Whelan, Galvin, Mugabi
Gateshead: Desbois, Nicholson, Ferguson, Richardson (C) (Storey 31’), Ward, Chapman (Beck 80’), John, Home (Moore 46’), Bowen (Patterson-Powell 71’), Butterfield (Anifowose 46’), Boatswain.
Unused subs: Newton, Chadwick
Goals:
Carlisle United – N/A
Gateshead – N/A
Yellow cards:
Carlisle United – (Gilliead 72’), (Davies 89’)
Gateshead – (Ferguson 52’), (Ward 88’)
Red cards:
Carlisle United – N/A
Gateshead – N/A
Match officials:
Referee - Garreth Rhodes
Assistant Referee 1 – Andrew Daniels
Assistant Referee 2 – Simon Robinson
Fourth Official – Michael Burrows
Attendance:
8,558 (735 away)