CHORLEY endured a frustrating afternoon on Tyneside when, after hitting the woodwork on three occasions and having what seemed a perfectly good goal disallowed, they went down to a bravely-taken goal 15 minutes from the end.

And to complete their misery, the Magpies had midfielder Chris Patterson sent off for remarks made to the referee in the third minute of stoppage time.

Chorley started very confidently and created numerous openings in the first 15 minutes.

Lee Wilkinson got in a good header from a corner and then twice fired just too high.

At the other end, Robert Kent hit a post but then Wilkinson played in Stuart Tulloch, whose shot rattled the Gateshead bar.

As openings came thick and fast, Chorley keeper Lee Bracey made two excellent saves from Ben Ryan.

The Magpies appeared to have strong claims for a penalty when Phil Baylis was tripped in the box but they were quickly indebted to Bracey again for another fine save from the dangerous Kent.

Chorley were controversially denied a goal on 43 minutes when Tulloch, clearly onside, hit a post and netted from the rebound but a linesman's flag rescued Gateshead.

After the restart, Chorley were again close to scoring when substitute Dan Cooper's shot was tipped onto the bar by keeper Terry Burke from Danny Mills' prompting.

Wilkinson had a strong effort held by Burke at the second attempt but it was Gateshead who broke the deadlock on 75 minutes when Paul Thomas met a free kick with a brave diving header, which flew just inside the post.

The goal inspired the home side, who put Chorley under considerable pressure in the closing stages, with Bracey pulling off a wonderful save to turn aside a fierce shot from George Weatherley.

Another disappointment for the Magpies but on another day they might have had names on the scoresheet and something to show for their efforts.

GATESHEAD ...1 CHORLEY ...0