Match Report: Jack McGraghan

Two second half goals saw Gateshead defeated at AFC Fylde in their first of five games inside nine days at the end of the Vanarama National League season.

The hosts capitalised on their few chances, in a game with little created by either side in difficult conditions, to take three points via goals from Ethan Mitchell and Jon Ustabasi.

Rob Elliot named seven changes to the side that reached the Isuzu FA Trophy final with Gateshead’s trip to Mill Farm the first of four games to be played in six days, with Joe Cook handed his debut in defence.

Cook’s maiden appearance would last only 23 minutes however, with the defender forced off after colliding with the advertising boards behind Theo Richardson’s goal while chasing a free kick towards the back post.

A rain-soaked playing surface made for a difficult game for both sides, particularly during the first half, with Eddie Beach’s quick save from Connor Barrett’s low effort inside the area the only chance of note before the break.

The game opened up marginally after the interval, with Elliot adding Marcus Dinanga to the fray alongside Dajaune Brown in search of an opener, though Fylde remained the more threatening going forward.

Robbie Tinkler was called up to block Nick Haughton’s strike in the penalty area after a loose ball had turned over possession, but the opener came the home side’s way with 14 minutes left to play when Mitchell prodded a corner past Beach from close range.

Ustabasi added a second in the final minutes of the game after a misplaced pass sparked Fylde to counter, allowing Danny Ormerod to play across goal for the forward to slot into an unguarded net.

The defeat saw Gateshead remain in sixth place in the Vanarama National League ahead of Saturday’s trip to Maidenhead United, with four games left to play in the season’s final seven days.

Gateshead: Beach, Cook (Storey, 23’), Tinkler, Richardson, Hannant, Adom (Worman, 73’), Stott, Booty, Olley, Evans (Dinanga, 54’), Brown.

Substitutes: Whelan, Francis.

AFC Fylde: Richardson, Long, Haughton (Evans 84’), Graham, Barrett, Ustabasi (Walker 90’), Conway, Whitehead, Adshead, Ormerod, Mitchell.

Substitutes: Neal, Hunter, McCullion.

Goals: Mitchell (76’), Ustabasi (89’)

Yellow Cards: Ormerod (33’), Adshead (63’)

Attendance: 1,192