Match ends, Maidstone United 2, Gateshead 3.
Gateshead sealed victory at Maidstone after surviving a late fightback from the hosts.
Maidstone started the game on top and forced Gateshead keeper Aynsley Pears into a smart save when he tipped Jack Paxman's strike over the bar.
But Gateshead took the lead after 25 minutes thanks to a stunning 25-yard strike from Luke Molyneux which rifled into the top corner.
The goal put the visitors into the ascendancy and the lead was doubled after 33 minutes by Robbie Tinkler, who fired a 30-yard effort through a crowd of bodies and into the bottom corner.
Molyneux grabbed his second to seemingly put the game to bed after 57 minutes, robbing Michael Phillips of possession before slotting past Maidstone keeper Ross Worner.
But Maidstone reduced the deficit 11 minutes from time as Jake Cassidy smashed in from close range following a save from Pears.
And they made it a tense finish for Gateshead by scoring again three minutes later. Jack Powell's cross was turned in by George McLennan.
Match report supplied by the Press Association.
Line-ups
Maidstone United
Formation 4-4-2
- 1Worner
- 3McLennanSubstituted forSwaineat 90'minutes
- 10PaxmanBooked at 52minsSubstituted forTajbakhshat 61'minutes
- 22Phillips
- 20Walton
- 18Shields
- 21MuldoonSubstituted forPowellat 61'minutes
- 24Cassidy
- 16Wishart
- 19Robinson
- 9Romain
Substitutes
- 8Powell
- 12Strizovic
- 25Swaine
- 28Tajbakhsh
- 29Wassmer
Gateshead
Formation 4-4-2
- 23Pears
- 5Kerr
- 2Tinkler
- 14O'Donnell
- 4Hunter
- 3Barrow
- 12MellishSubstituted forDevittat 77'minutes
- 15White
- 21Molyneux
- 9ArmstrongSubstituted forRiggat 66'minutes
- 19Boden
Substitutes
- 1Foden
- 7Thomson
- 10Rigg
- 11Salkeld
- 18Devitt
- Referee:
- David Rock
- Attendance:
- 2,131
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Maidstone United 2, Gateshead 3.
Substitution
Substitution, Maidstone United. Rob Swaine replaces George McLennan.
Goal!
Goal! Maidstone United 2, Gateshead 3. George McLennan (Maidstone United).
Goal!
Goal! Maidstone United 1, Gateshead 3. Jake Cassidy (Maidstone United).
Substitution
Substitution, Gateshead. Tom Devitt replaces Jon Mellish.
Substitution
Substitution, Gateshead. Steven Rigg replaces Luke Armstrong.
Substitution
Substitution, Maidstone United. Jack Powell replaces Oliver Muldoon.
Substitution
Substitution, Maidstone United. Aryan Taj replaces Jack Paxman.
Goal!
Goal! Maidstone United 0, Gateshead 3. Luke Molyneux (Gateshead).
Booking
Jack Paxman (Maidstone United) is shown the yellow card.
Second Half
Second Half begins Maidstone United 0, Gateshead 2.
Half Time
First Half ends, Maidstone United 0, Gateshead 2.
Goal!
Goal! Maidstone United 0, Gateshead 2. Robbie Tinkler (Gateshead).
Goal!
Goal! Maidstone United 0, Gateshead 1. Luke Molyneux (Gateshead).
Kick Off
First Half begins.
Post update
Lineups are announced and players are warming up.