Bobby- Joe Taylor’s strike off the bench ensured Maidstone United’s unbeaten run went on at the expense of Gateshead.

Tom Mills’ own goal put Maidstone behind on 26 minutes, leaving them with work to do in the second half.

The second half introduction of Bobby Joe Taylor payed dividends for Jay Saunders’ side. Another own goal, this time from Liam Hogan, put the game level before the winger scored a goal of his own just three minutes later to give Maidstone all three points.

Maidstone started the game four points away from the relegation places with their hosts four points from the playoff positions. But it seemed as though roles were reversed in the opening five minutes. Stuart Lewis had a shot blocked after Joe Pigott was unable to connect with Jamie Coyle’s cross from the left.

The favourites soon regained control though, James Bolton saw his header from a corner fly wide before Maidstone came back with an Alex Flisher half volley which he sliced straight into a Heed defender.

Both sides continued to exchange chances, but neither Pigott nor Jordan Burrow could find the net.

It took 26 minutes for the first goal of the game and it came for Gateshead. Paddy McLaughlin’s cross from the left was tipped onto Tom Mills by Lee Worgan and the full back was unable to clear the loose ball, instead steering it into his own goal.

This setback took any momentum the Kent side had out of them and Gateshead began to dominate. Danny Johnson fired a looped effort over form long range before Burrow’s weak effort was tipped around the post by Lee Worgan.

The Stones soon found they’re rhythm again though. Just before half time Yemi Odubde tried to find Pigott with a low cross but the attempt was easily cut out by Jamal Fyfield, keeping Gateshead 1-0 up going into half time.

The Kent side started the second half as they had the first- on top. Jack Paxman headed wide from a corner from the left before another corner found the head of Reece Prestage whose effort clipped the top of the bar.

A mistake allowed Gateshead a chance to double their lead on 63 minutes. An attempted clearance from Seth Nana Twumasi wasn’t dealt with by Worgan, giving Wes York and Jordan Burrow opportunities to equalise, but the Stones defence was able to hold firm.

Substitute Bobby Joe- Taylor gave new life to the Maidstone team, and they found an equaliser on 73 minutes when Liam Hogan put the ball into his own net. A cross from the left fell into a crowd of bodies and it was Hogan who it hit last, diverting it into his net despite James Montgomery’s best efforts.

The turnaround was complete minutes later when Bobby Joe- Taylor fired past Montgomery. He collected a pass on the right and composed himself before hitting a low shot across the goalkeeper on 76 minutes.

With only six minutes remaining the winger was involved again, finding Alex Flisher in the middle but Flisher was unable to get a shot away.

In the six minutes of added time Gateshead pushed for an equaliser. Fyfield’s cross from the left was deflected into the side netting and the resulting corner was finally dealt with by the Maidstone back line, giving them all three points.

 

Gateshead: Montgomery (Hanford, 77), Bolton, M Smith, Hogan, Fyfield, York, Brundle (Hannant, 70), Johnson (Wright, 56), Burrow, Mafuta, McLaughlin

Subs not used: G Smith, Green

 

Maidstone: Worgan, Mills, Coyle, Lokko, Lewis, Paxman (Taylor, 64), Flisher, Prestage, Nana Twumasi, Odubade (Oakley, 81), Pigott

Subs not used: Acheampong, Phipps, Okuonghal

 

Referee: Mr A Backhouse

Assistants: Mr D Woodward and Mr A Burgess

Fourth official: Mr D Whatling

 

Attendance: 967 (199 away)