Solihull Moors were denied a first league win of the season by a stoppage-time equaliser at Gateshead. Michael Spellman struck four minutes into added time to cancel out Callum McFarlane's 85th-minute penalty and seal a 1-1 draw.
The result extends Moors' winless run to six matches and leaves them bottom of the National League with just one point from seven games. Their recent form reads LLDLL, with only a single draw to show from their last five outings.
How the game unfolded
Andy Whing's side started brightly at the Gateshead International Stadium. Matty Carson's early cross floated narrowly past the post and Joe Sbarra flashed dangerous balls across the home box. Ben Wodskou, who scored in the midweek cup defeat to Leeds United under-21s, forced keeper Peter Jameson into a fine save, with the Gateshead man also keeping out the follow-up effort.
At the other end, Scott High fired over for the hosts. Jameson was in action again before the break, tipping Jacob Wakeling's shot onto a combination of post and crossbar. Tyler French then scooped an effort onto the roof of the net for Moors after the restart.
The breakthrough finally came with five minutes of normal time remaining. Wakeling drew a foul in the box from Joshua Anifowose and referee Paul Marsden pointed to the spot. Callum McFarlane stepped up and, as he told The Solihull Observer, "calmly found the bottom left corner to send the goalkeeper the wrong way."
Late heartbreak
Moors looked set to snap a run of five successive league defeats and claim a vital three points. Their hopes were shattered deep into added time. A backpass from Justin Hanks was intercepted by substitute Michael Spellman. The forward "rounded Max Metcalfe and finished into an empty net at the death," as he later described it.
The late goal means Moors remain rooted to the foot of the table, 16 points adrift of leaders Boreham Wood. They have conceded 19 goals in their seven league games, the worst defensive record in the division.
Attention now turns to the National League Cup and a home tie against Leeds United under-21s at Damson Park on Tuesday, with kick-off at 7pm.
