Quakers lost to a goal either side of half time in their last public friendly at the International Stadium.

Despite the defeat, there was still plenty to be encouraged about, especially in the first half when Quakers got on top at 0-0, but then conceded.

The Heed nearly took the lead after 4 minutes when George Smith, signed from Barnsley, showed good footwork to cross from the left into the middle for Sam Jones to head over the bar.

Gateshead had another chance on 9 minutes when Martin Brundle found Ryan Bowman on the left, and he squared the ball into the middle for Wes York to have a sidefoot saved at point blank range by Peter Jameson.

Quakers nearly scored on 16 minutes when Amar Purewal was fouled out on the left, and Adam Mitchell curled the free kick into the middle where Gary Brown just failed to connect a couple of yards out.

After the Red Arrows flew over the stadium, Mitchell tried his luck with a 30 yard free kick awarded for a foul on Gary Brown, but the ball went a couple of yards over the top.

As the game got a little bit feisty, York sprinted away with just Jameson to beat, but Marrs got in an excellent tackle on the edge of the box.

Quakers  had the chance of the game so far  on 32 minutes when Mitchell broke down the left, drew the last defender and set up Purewal, who blazed wide from twelve yards.

Just as Quakers seemed to be taking control, Gateshead took the lead on 39 minutes when York, signed from Wrexham, controlled the ball well on the edge of the area, turned and hit a right foot shot into the top corner that Jameson couldn’t get enough of a hand to.

Half time:

Gateshead 1 Darlington 0

After they made eight subs at half time, Gateshead made it 2-0 when Toby Ajala, found space on the left and pulled the ball back to the edge of the 18 yard box where Danny Johnson turned quickly and slotted the ball into the bottom right hand corner.

Quakers then made two subs, Nathan Cartman and Liam Hardy coming on for Purewal and Gaskell.

Cartman nearly scored with his first touch, a left foot shot from the edge of the box that Sam Johnson pushed away for a corner.

MG then made two more subs, Chris Hunter and Jordan Watson coming on for Terry Galbraith and Liam Marrs.

Jameson then made two saves, from a 25 yard Johnson free kick, and a diagonal shot by George Smith, before Johnson lifted the ball wide with just Jameson to beat off a Nyal Bell pass.

Final score: Gateshead 2 Darlington 0

Attendance 427

Team: Jameson, Marrs (sub Hunter 53), Galbraith (sub Watson 53), Portas, Burgess, Brown, Mitchell (sub Saunders 75), Nowakowski (sub Thompson 60), Gaskell (sub Cartman 49), Purewal (sub Hardy 49), Nightingale.

Subs:  Bell,

Gateshead include striker Ryan Bowman, who played for the club in the 2011-12 season, and stood by it during administration.

Gateshead: Hanford, G Smith, M Smith, Fyfield, Brundle, York, Clark, Jones, Bowman, Bolton, McLaughlin

Subs: S Johnson, Mafuta, D Johnson, Ajala, Sweeney, Hogan, Hannant, Styche, Bell.