Vanarama National League: Gateshead 3 Guiseley 0

NEIL Aspin’s Gateshead stretched their advantage over Guiseley in the National League to ten points as the Lions were tamed in the second half at the International Stadium.

Former Leeds United player Aspin left struggling FC Halifax Town earlier in the season and his new side are now in the top half of the table, while Guiseley and the Shaymen are left battling for survival.

This afternoon's hosts edged the tight opening stages but Guiseley were proving hard to break down.

Jake Lawlor denied Heed’s Ryan Bowman a shooting chance early on with a well-timed slide, and the resulting corner was cleared.

Lions keeper Steve Drench was also looking comfortable and easily claimed a Craig Baxter free-kick.

The first real effort on target came just after the half-hour when Guiseley’s Oliver Norburn took a dip from distance but his shot bounced before it reached Sam Russell, making it a simple save for the keeper.

Heed really should have scored minutes before the break as Jon Shaw found himself in space in the area. However, he got nothing on his header and the ball looped into Drench’s arms.

The deadlock was soon broken though as the home side netted just 40 seconds into the second half. Rob Ramshaw helped on a cross and Bowman fired past Drench from the edge of the six-yard box.

Bower made his first change – Nicky Boshell for Adam Smith – but the visitors soon found themselves two goals down.

Bowman, who had headed a cross wide of the far post minutes earlier, grabbed his second when he slotted in after Drench had parried at the feet of half-time substitute CJ Hamilton.

A Nicky Boshell free-kick flew wide before another Guiseley change saw his brother, and the Lions’ assistant manager, Danny Boshell depart, with Tom Craddock coming on from the bench.

The Lions almost halved the arrears when a Will Hatfield effort was hacked off the line but with minutes to go they fell further behind.

Hamilton was again on hand with the assist as his square pass found Danny Johnson, who turned and finished neatly past Drench.