GATESHEAD edged a step closer to Wembley after edging a tight FA Trophy tie with Fylde.

Ryan Bowman’s predatory strike a quarter of an hour from the end proved the difference between the sides.

Fylde, of National League North, pushed their Conference opponents all the way and looked like they might at least earn a goalless draw at the end of the 90 minutes.

But Bowman powered in the winner after Rob Ramshaw’s cut back sat up nicely for him in the penalty area.

That finish sealed a place in the quarter-finals of the FA Trophy for Heed, but it was not all the higher league team’s way.

Fylde threatened first and on a few occasions in the opening half when Sam Finley and Tom Hannigan both had good chances stopped by goalkeeper Sam Russell. Dion Charles was also denied by Russell for the visitors.

But Gateshead stepped things up slightly and Fylde were lucky not to be behind at the break themselves; particularly when Hannigan blocked an effort from Josh Gillies.

Fylde’s failure to find the net paved the way for Gateshead to edge ahead and that is exactly what they did when Bowman didn’t need a second opportunity late in the second half.

Gateshead: Russell, Whitmore, Curtis, Clark, Bennett, Ramshaw, Mafuta (Chandler 65), McLaughlin, Gillies, Shaw (Curtis 46), Bowman. Subs (not used): Phillips, Pearson.

YORK CITY still have a four point gap to make up to safety after slipping to defeat at League Two leaders Northampton on an afternoon when they also lost full-back Luke Hendrie to a red card.

The Minstermen are unlikely to contest the decision despite feeling that it was an incorrect dismissal when he was sent off for fouling Ricky Holmes in the Cobblers’ half ten minutes after half-time.

York boss Jackie McNamara was annoyed with the decision but he will weigh up his options on a incident which is likely to rule the on-loan Burnley defender out for a game if deemed to be a professional foul rather than violent conduct.

“It was never a red card. I didn’t think it was at the time and I definitely didn’t when I saw it back on the DVD,” said McNamara.

“It was a professional foul in their half and should have been a yellow card. His feet were down, it wasn’t dangerous and the lad played on.

“He wasn’t hurt and it was the wrong decision, but I thought the referee was influenced by certain things going on with their players and the crowd. I’ll speak to the chairman about appealing maybe, but I’ve been told that’s a waste of time.”

Hendrie’s red card led to Lubo Satka being introduced following his arrival from Newcastle on loan but he was unable to prevent defeat.

Northampton took the lead in the first half when John-Joe O’Toole struck the opener and they doubled the lead eight minutes after the restart when Marc Richards hit his 17th of the season.

Hendrie was dismissed and York could find no way back as they went in search of a result to give their fight to beat the drop a further boost after a recent run of better form.

York: Flinders; Hendrie, Cameron, Winfield, Ilesanmi, Summerfield, Penn, Dixon (Satka 587), McEvoy (Berrett 72), Oliver, Coulson. Subs (not used): Carson, Massanka, Ingham, Fewster, Galbraith.