Gateshead suffered their first defeat of pre-season against South Shields on Tuesday night.

Lee Cattermole stressed he is happy with Gateshead’s progress during their preparations for the new National League season after watching his side fall to a 4-1 home defeat in their pre-season friendly with National League North neighbours South Shields FC.

The Mariners produced a lively display during the first-half and took a three-goal lead into the break thanks to efforts from Caden Kelly, Sonny Finch and former Heed forward Cewdyn Scott. Another former Gateshead player extended the lead in the early stages of the second-half as Paul Blackett found the net from close-range within four minutes of the restart. New Zealand Under-20 international Luke Supyk reduced the arrears for the Heed with half-an-hour remaining - but that was as good as it got as Cattermole reflected on a ‘difficult’ night for his players after the highs of Saturday’s impressive performance against Newcastle United.

Paul Blackett scores South Shields' fourth goal in their 4-1 win at Gateshead (photo Kevin Wilson) | Kevin Wilson

placeholder image — Paul Blackett scores South Shields' fourth goal in their 4-1 win at Gateshead (photo Kevin Wilson) | Kevin Wilson

Speaking after the defeat, the former Sunderland and Middlesbrough midfielder said: “It was a brilliant performance on Saturday and I always knew going into a game against a team who are exceptional in possession, full of energy and didn’t play on Saturday was going to be tough. The players put out 110km on Saturday against the ball for 90 minutes so it was always going to be difficult for our lads. We made changes and I have no complaints about the game tonight. South Shields are very good at what they do. I am pleased with where we are at as a group.”

Learning

Caden Kelly scores direct from a corner in South Shields pre-season friendly win at Gateshead (photo Kevin Wilson) | Kevin Wilson

Cattermole is still hoping to strengthen his squad and one area for improvement is in attacking areas. The departure of Levi Amantchi to Kidderminster Harriers has left Ash Boatswain and Dom Telford as the only out-and-out strikers within the Heed ranks - but the Gateshead boss has warned any new addition has to fit into what he wants from his players.

“I think it would be a position we think there is room for,” he explained. “The lads can all play different positions and I am always learning about the group. But it has to be the right one and if you look at the players I’ve brought in, they’re physically good. I am pleased with where we are at.”