Ben Fox’s late free kick for Gateshead was enough for the ten man Tynesiders to beat Maidstone United in an eventful game on Saturday afternoon.

The Heed took an early lead as new signing Lewis McNall dribbled round Lee Worgan, allowing himself to score the first goal into an open net.

Jai Reason equalised for the visitors when he stepped up to take a penalty on 18 minutes after Stewart Lewis was tripped in the box.

There was some drama in the second half when Dan Hanford headbutted Reason and receive a red card, only for his replacement to save the resulting penalty.

The winning goal came with three minutes to play with Ben Fox’s free kick hitting a fantastic free kick out the reach of Worgan.

Jay Saunders’ side hadn’t won in 12 games, and this trend looked to continue early on when the hosts took an early lead. Some impressive build up in the Gateshead midfield allowed Paddy McLaughlin to play through McNall who was able to get round Worgan to pass the ball into an open goal.

It didn’t take long for Maidstone to get back into the game. Minutes after the opening goal Delano Sam- Yorke cut inside from the right wing and forced Dan Hanford into a low save.

The pressure from the hosts continued towards the 15 minute mark. Some good link up play between Wes York, McLaughlin and Ben Fox allowed the latter to fire just over the target.

It took just under 20 minutes for Maidstone to find an equaliser. Reason’s cross from the left fell into the feet of Stewart Lewis who was upended in the penalty area. Reason stepped up and converted a powerful effort from 12 yards.

Maidstone continued to create chances for themselves. Reece Prestedge misfired a close range effort over the bar but a counter attack was never far away either. Worgan denied Scott Barrow with a fantastic save on the half hour mark before, in the final moments of the first half, Sam- Yorke hit a low shot just wide under pressure, keeping the score level at 1-1 going into half time.

With Gateshead applying early pressure, the second half started very similarly to the first. Scott Barrow’s free kick was slightly too high for Jamal Fyfield at the far post before McNall’s next chance after his goal was scooped over the bar.

Similarly to the first half, the Kent side began to work their way into the game. With ten minutes of the half gone a sloppy pass from the Gateshead defence gave Jamar Loza time to shoot on his left foot, only for the effort to skim the far post.

Reason continued to cause problems, his cross was headed away for a corner under pressure and from the resulting set piece Alex Wynter forced a fantastic acrobatic save from Gateshead’s Hanford.

Loza also forced a save from the keeper moments later as the visitors’ pressure went on and it came to a peak when they were awarded another penalty. An altercation between the shot stopper and Reason resulted in the former headbutting the winger. The referee had no choice but to send the player off- only for his replacement, James Mongomery, to save the spot kick.

The chance needed to be taken, as with time running out Gateshead found the goal to put them back ahead. A free kick from about 20 yards out was given to Ben Fox- on loan from Burton Albion- and the midfielder hit an perfect set piece past Worgan.

Jay Saunders threw bodies forward in the five minutes of added time, but to no avail. Lozo and Sam- Yorke both had opportunities to equalise yet again, but were both unable to beat Montgomery from close range.

Gateshead: Hanford, Barrow, Kerr, Byrne, Fyfield, York (Preston), Burrow, McLaughlin, Penn (Montgomery), McNall (Johnson), Fox

Subs not used: Vassell, Williams

Maidstone United: Worgan, Prestedge (Muldoon), Wynter, Okuonghae, Loza, Lewis, Sam- Yorke, Anderson, Reason (Ter Horst), Nana Twumasi, Osei (Coker)

Subs not used: Hare, Paxman, Muldoon

 

Referee: Mr G Hart

Assistants: Mr N Hawksy, Mr A Burgess

Fourth Official: Mr C Knightley

Attendance: 771 (127 away)