ALDERSHOT TOWN 1, GATESHEAD 2

ALDERSHOT'S relegation plight worsened with a second painful defeat in the space of four days.

When you're down, everything seems to conspire against you, and so it was on Tuesday when a promising situation for Aldershot was undermined by a red card for leading scorer Brett Williams, just eight minutes into the second half.

Gateshead, for all their slick play, had created precious little inside the area. But the dismissal gave the play-off contenders a lift.

Four minutes later, they were level. With eight minutes to go, and with at least a hard-won point in sight for a beleaguered Aldershot, the visitors snatched the winner, making it a long, happy return home for the northerners and their 29 hardy fans.

For full match report, see this week's Herald.