ALEX Gudger’s late goal earned a point for Solihull Moors in a 1-1 draw at Gateshead as the defender scored for the second time in as many matches.
Gudger turned the ball home on 83 minutes to bring Moors level after Ben Coker’s early own goal handed the home side the lead at Gateshead International Stadium.
The result means Moors sit fourth in the National League table and are unbeaten in their last four matches in all competitions.
However, Solihull made a disastrous start when Coker’s backpass was misjudged by goalkeeper Ryan Boot and rolled into the net on nine minutes.
The home side almost doubled their lead when Boot could only parry Adam Campbell’s initial effort before he reacted quickly to deny Adi Yussuf’s follow up.
Moors responded when Alex Reid pounced on a loose ball in the penalty area and rifled an effort goalwards only for his rising effort to smash the top of the crossbar.
And Joe Sbarra was next to be denied by the woodwork when his shot towards the top right corner skimmed the bar after a corner fell nicely to the midfielder.
Remarkably, Moors hit the woodwork for a third time in the final minutes of the half when Coker’s free-kick from the edge of the penalty area cleared the wall and came back off the post.
Neal Ardley’s side remained on top at the start of the second period and were denied a leveller when Ryan Barnett’s shot from the edge of the penalty area deflected inches past the post.
And Sbarra then saw his header from a floated cross blocked on the line by a Gateshead defender before the ball was cleared to safety.
A mistake almost took the game out of Solihull’s reach when Aaron Martin dispossed Kyle Storer only for Fiacre Kelleher to make a superb recovery tackle.
And Moors finally equalised with seven minutes left to play when Storer’s high ball into the box was misjudged by Gateshead goalkeeper James Montgomery and turned home by Gudger who was quickest to react.
The home side could have snatched the points late on only for Martin to take a heavy touch when one-on-one with Boot before Will Harris blazed over deep into stoppage time.
Moors are next in action away at Maidstone United TONIGHT (Tuesday, November 1) with kick-off at 7.45pm at Gallagher Stadium.
