Hereford director of football Graham Turner insisted his side should have taken all three points from their mid- week clash at the rain-swept International Stadium.

Tony Agana's 42nd-minute close-range strike looked to have secured victory until Tyneside defender Tony Hall levelled with just eight minutes remaining.

Turner said: ''The second-half was the worst 45 minutes football I've seen. The downpour did not help, but in the end we threw away two points.'' Gateshead caretaker boss Alan Shoulder, the former Newcastle striker, also believed Hereford should have completed a league double. ''We were fortunate to get a point. In the second-half I could not see us scoring against a strong Hereford side,'' he said.

Gateshead, previously beaten only once at home in four months, looked to have survived until Agana tucked away a loose ball after Brough's header from Rob Warner's corner had been blocked.

A torrential downpour during the second period made conditions hazardous and both sides struggled to create chances.

Hereford were comfortably holding their interval lead against their relegation-threatened hosts until Hall levelled eight minutes from time.

Steve Bowey's corner found Hall in space beyond the back post and the defender drilled an angled drive through a crowded penalty area and into the far corner.

Gavin Mahon might still have clinched a United victory but his header was blocked by Williams.

Hereford: Quy, Rodgerson, Fishlock, Warner, Brough, Matthewson, Hargreaves, McGorry, Agana, Walker, Mahon. Subs not used: Pitman, Williams, Parry.

Attendance: 448.