IAN BOGIE believes keeping Gateshead in the Blue Square Premier will be his greatest achievement at the club so far. The former Football League midfielder took Gateshead to consecutive promotions in his first two seasons as manager. An exciting brand of attacking football and an avalanche of goals saw the Tynesiders reclaim their place at non-league's top table in style. This season has been difficult after the meteoric rise, with Gateshead one of a minority of clubs in the Conference Premier still part-time. A crucial midweek win over fellow strugglers Forest Green Rovers, however, improved the Tynesiders’ position outside the relegation zone. Another three-point return at home to mid-table Wrexham on Tuesday – Gateshead are without a league game tomorrow – will be another step towards safety. Bogie said: “Keeping Gateshead in the Blue Square Premier this season will be a bigger achievement than the two promotion campaigns. “Our next two games are against clubs with a long Football League tradition, Wrexham and Oxford United, which tells you how strong this league is. “It was always going to be difficult facing full-time outfits, but survival is in our own hands and I am very confident we will avoid relegation.” Gateshead expect to turn full-time next season, certainly if they are in the Conference Premier, but there has been no confirmation Bogie will remain at the helm. He added: “I have done a good job at Gateshead and would like to have had the situation sorted out, but the focus is on winning enough points to preserve our top-flight status.” Gateshead have been hit by injuries to defender Carl Jones and fringe player Neale McDermott, but double leg-break victim Martin Brittain is back in training after six months out. | 
