ALDERSHOT TN 1, GATESHEAD 0

ALDERSHOT moved to third in the National League with this win on Tuesday and will clinch a place in the six-team play-offs if they beat Barrow this weekend.

The Shots dominated play for most of the game, but struggled to break down a resolute Gateshead side who owed much to a brilliant goalkeeping display by James Montgomery.

A goal always looked to be coming as Gary Waddock’s side set a relentless pace on a pristine playing surface made even more slick by extensive use of water-sprinklers before kick-off and at half-time.

The northerners, meanwhile, in the first half at least, posed a real threat with potent counter-attacks.

A pragmatic approach had brought Aldershot nothing at Tranmere four days before. This was a very different set-up, with strikers Scott Rendell and Matt McClure both starting, Jake Gallagher adding extra muscle in midfield and full-backs Lewis Kinsella and Cheye Alexander playing almost as auxiliary wingers.

Montgomery began by reacting sharply to push a wickedly inswinging Lewis Kinsella corner against the post and followed up with superb saves to deny both Rendell and McClure.

The keeper was alert to McClure’s instant shot on the turn and when Rendell met another Kinsella cross with a flashing close-range header, Montgomery miraculously tipped the ball over.

In between, though, Gateshead had almost snatched the lead when Theo Vassell’s astute through-ball picked out an unmarked Richard Peniket. The big striker’s first touch was sublime, but his shot was too close to Lewis Ward who made a vital block.

McClure was outstanding in this half and would have had a hat-trick but for Montgomery’s brilliance.

The keeper dashed out to block a firecracker shot and then, most spectacularly, McClure struck a terrific swerving 30-yarder that looked destined for the top corner until an airborne Montgomery palmed the ball onto the upright and away.

The Shots looked like scoring every time they attacked and, on 45 minutes, the breakthrough came from one of umpteen corners won by the home side.

Jim Kellermann’s delivery sparked off a game of goalmouth pinball and Rendell’s shot was signalled by the linesman to have crossed the line before Montgomery clawed it back. Will Evans whacked the loose ball into the net just to make sure.

Straight from the kick-off, Aldershot let their guard drop and The Heed very nearly equalised as Danny Johnson broke clear. The striker seemed to be impeded before he could get his shot away, but loud appeals for a penalty were turned down by referee Adam Penwell.

The second half was much less eventful and a weary Gateshead, playing their fifth match in 10 days, four away from home, hardly managed a shot on target as Aldershot played keep-ball with accurate passing and good running off the ball.

Making good use of a particularly strong bench, the Shots never looked like conceding and Manny Oyeleke came close to doubling the lead with a dipping drive onto the roof of the net.

“We played very well,” said Gary Waddock. “We caused them problems, particularly in the first half, getting into the final third, and the deliveries into the box and possession were very good.”

The manager added, apparently in response to some fans who were critical of back-passing during the second half: “We go backwards to go forwards. We use our goalkeeper at times to keep possession and to manage games.”

Aldershot: Ward, Alexander, Evans, Reynolds, Kinsella, Gallagher (McDonnell 73), Oyeleke, Kellermann, Fenelon (Rowe 82), Rendell, McClure (McQuoid 70). Subs (not used): Cole, Kabamba. Booked: Alexander, Kinsella.

Gateshead: Montgomery, Vassell, Kerr, Mellish, Barrow, Penn (York 67), McLaughlin, Preston, Greenwood (Green 61), Johnson, Peniket (Burrow 61). Subs (not used): Byrne, Hanford. Booked: Barrow.

Referee: Adam Penwell.

Attendance: 1,893 (23 away).

• Play-off rivals Tranmere Rovers and Ebbsfleet both won on Tuesday, but Sutton United slipped up, losing 2-1 away to Maidenhead.