Gate still wait for the first win of the season after equalising late on at Darwen last night. Gate haven’t travelled well this year and find themselves at the wrong end of the table. Gate made just the one change with Josh Kay coming back into the team in place of Cummings who dropped to the bench.

The returning Kay was first to have a chance for Gate, he drifted in from the left but his pass was cut out before it found Mckenna in the box. Kay again was lively down the left after a good spell of possession from Gate but after his good work to beat his man, his cross was poor. Mckenna on the other wing came into the game but after beating two Darwen men, his shot was blocked. The ball found it’s way over to Ferguson on the left hand side soon after but his shot was deflected wide. Gate best chance of the half came from Kay. Just before half time he struck the ball from outside the box but the home keeper did well to save. The follow up corner for Gate was just headed over by Buchan in what was another good chance just before the break.

The home side had the first chance of the half but Fletcher was well behind the strike. The home side would open the scoring soon after. The ball played across the goal and with Gates defence stood still Darwen pounced and opened the scoring. Gate who had been the better team throughout, continued to attack and had plenty of chances. Gaul, the scorer for Darwen, had another chance but this time it was over. Billy McKenna had Gates next chance but the keeper spilt his shot. Nobody could follow up on the loose ball, which was eventually cleared. Two of Gates substitutes almost linked up to equalise for Gate. Terry Cummings sent down the line and he found space to play a superb ball across the box but Rowley who was in he middle, couldn’t make contact with the ball. Late drama ensued for Gate as minutes from the end of the game Danny Penswick had a header cleared off the line by Darwen Player/manager Neil Prince. Gates kept the pressure coming and were all over Darwen in the last 10 minutes. They would make that pressure pay with seconds left on the clock, Terry Cummings stepping up to poke the ball home after a scramble in the box.

The late draw means Gate are still without a league win but were much the better side and deserved more than one point.

Gate are next in action on Saturday when they host Congleton at home, kick off 3pm.

Gate: Fletcher, Richards, Westwood, Colquhoun, Trout, Ferguson, Penswick, Cook, Mckenna, Kay, Buchan. Subs: Clarke, Benjamin, Rowley, Cummings.