GATESHEAD 3, ALDERSHOT TOWN 2

ALDERSHOT Town may have scored a goal which has gone viral around the world via social media, but ultimately it counted for nothing in the far north on Saturday.

Rhys Browne’s sixth-minute chip, a deft piece of individual skill at the end of a flowing 14-pass move involving nine players, has since been compared favourably to Barcelona and Brazil, but it failed to earn a result against National League play-off contenders Gateshead, who capitalised on some slack defending to snatch all three points.

A controversial own-goal winner, dubiously awarded to defender Joe Oastler despite appearing to be fouled as he leapt to clear a free-kick inside the penalty area, further compounded Aldershot’s frustrations.

Claiming that his side deserved at least a draw, Barry Smith said: “When you score two goals away from home you should get something from the game, although we probably didn’t do enough to win it. We allowed too many crosses and to lose two goals from crosses is frustrating as we know the lads can do better.

“We gave everything we had today and on another day the game finishes two-two. The referee has a difficult job, but he’s made the wrong decision and it’s cost us.”

The afternoon had started in spectacular fashion for the visitors. Omar Beckles and Sean McGinty cleared their defensive lines and launched the Shots on a promising counter-attack which ebbed from left to right.

A series of clipped, precise passes invited Ross Lafayette to find Browne back over on the left and, as he cut inside to exchange passes with Charlie Walker, the winger burst past two challenges into the penalty area and lifted the ball over the onrushing Sam Russell into the net.

It was certainly one of Aldershot’s best goals of the season, and perhaps their best in several years, but their good work was soon undone at the other end.

On 35 minutes, Ryan Bowman was too strong for Oastler and the striker powered in a six-yard header from Darren Holden’s cross.

Just two minutes later, the Tynesiders were ahead. Man-of-the-match CJ Hamilton mis-hit a shot which ended up at Bowman’s feet, with his back to goal. While three defenders tried to dispossess him, Bowman merely played the ball back to Hamilton, who was allowed ample space to bend a low shot into the corner of the net.

Aldershot, though, had a spirited response and drew level on 42 minutes as Lafayette cleverly dummied Dan Walker’s low cross, inviting Jake Gallagher to score from seven yards.

Six minutes into the second half, two pieces of goalmouth action decided the encounter.

First, Lafayette couldn’t quite squeeze an angled header over the line.

Seconds later, skipper McGinty conceded a cheap free-kick down the Gateshead right wing. Paddy McLaughlin floated the ball towards the far post and, with Bowman seemingly barging the defender off balance as he jumped, it deflected off Oastler’s head into the net.

It was harsh on Aldershot and two angled cross-shots from Dan Walker and Browne failed to get them back into the game.

Thereafter, Gateshead played out time fairly comfortably and Aldershot’s impending internet stardom was of scant solace.

Gateshead: Russell; Bennett, Whitmore, Clark, Holden (Curtis 46); Ramshaw, Mafuta, McLaughlin, Hamilton; Shaw (Johnson 70), Bowman (Pattison 77). Subs (not used): Chandler, Pearson.

Aldershot: Smith; Alexander, Oastler, Beckles, McGinty; D Walker (Ralph 61), Lathrope (Stevenson 71), Gallagher, Browne; C Walker (Pavey 69), Lafayette. Subs (not used): Thomas, Saville. Booked: Browne.

Referee: Jason Whiteley.

Attendance:1,074.

Aldershot are away to Welling this Saturday. The Shots were scheduled to play Grimsby at the EBB Stadium on Tuesday, but the fixture has been re-arranged for Tuesday, April 5. The Mariners requested the change through the National League due to their game against Forest Green being switched for television coverage on Friday, March 4.