Wrexham 3-1 Gateshead: Dragons climb to second after seeing off 10-man visitors
- Published
Ben Tozer joined Wrexham from Cheltenham Town in August 2021
Wrexham moved up to second in the National League after securing a third successive win to see off dogged 10-man Gateshead, who stay in the drop zone.
Early goals from Ben Tozer and Ollie Palmer put Wrexham firmly in control inside the opening 10 minutes.
Owen Bailey pulled a goal back for Gateshead, only to have Louis Storey sent-off for a second bootable offence three minutes later.
Paul Mullin sealed Wrexham's win 12 minutes from time.
Wrexham are a point behind leaders Chesterfield while Gateshead remain 22nd and still seeking their first win.
The home side made the perfect start when after a spell of pressure Tozer's shot took a deflection in a crowded penalty area with less than two minutes gone.
Palmer doubled the lead with his powerful shot taking a deflection to leave Dan Langley helpless once again.
Gateshead hit back through Bailey's header but soon after they were reduced to 10 men when Storey received a second yellow card.
Despite being a man short, Gateshead were enjoying a good spell as the first half drew to a close with goalkeeper Mark Howard keeping out Dan Ward's deflected shot, while Will Harris fired wide.
Mullin wasted a good opportunity for the hosts, firing over the bar when bearing down on goal, while at the other end Howard dived low to push away Harris' shot.
But Mullin eased any nerves when the striker slotted home Wrexham's third after taking full advantage of Robbie Tinkler's poor header.
Despite that Gateshead did not give up and Howard twice denied substitute Paul Blackett in the closing minutes.
Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson said:
"Pleased with the win. After getting beat at Chesterfield, to get three wins on the bounce is good and takes us up to second, so I'm pleased with that.
"Obviously we started great - everything we asked of the lads we did and got the two goals.
"I thought the sending-off made us a bit tentative for some reason. We stopped pressing and playing positively and then we conceded the goal, which created that bit of edginess.
"In the second half we were better, dominated our chances and finally got our goal but frustrated with the last four or five minutes when Mark [Howard] has had to pull off some good saves."