Match Report: Jack McGraghan

Gateshead returned to form with their first win since February to defeat Dagenham & Redbridge at Gateshead International Stadium.

The Heed went into half time two goals ahead having controlled the opening 45 minutes, with Tim Akinola and Ethan Robson both scoring on their home debuts.

Josh Rees pulled one back for the visitors to threaten a comeback, but Gateshead held firm to take three points and remain in the National League play-off places.

Carl Magnay made four changes to the starting 11 on Tyneside, with George Shelvey, Brandon Haunstrup, Liam Humbles and Tim Akinola starting against The Daggers.

The hosts controlled possession from the first whistle in search of their first win in over a month, but had to wait until the 20^th minute to find the opener when debutant Akinola’s effort deflected past Jake Turner and into the back of the net from Luke Hannant’s cross.

Tyrelle Newton sent an effort over the crossbar as The Heed ramped up the pressure from then on, before Jovan Malcolm was denied by a sprawling Turner from inside the box in search of a second.

That goal arrived through home debutant Robson in the 38^th minute, who drifted behind the visiting defence to receive Regan Booty’s pass, before slotting past the on-rushing Turner to make it two for Gateshead.

Dagenham gained more of a grasp on proceedings after the half time interval and pulled a goal back just after the hour mark via Rees, who converted a low cross in off the near post to halve the deficit.

Josh Umerah sent a header over the bar for The Daggers in their efforts for an equaliser, before George Shelvey was on hand late on to thwart Ryan Hill’s strike from just inside the box.

Gateshead held firm however to earn their first win in over a month, moving sixth in the National League table as a result.

Gateshead: Shelvey, Richardson, Tinkler, Haunstrup (Grayson, 64’), Humbles, Hannant, Booty, Akinola (Johnson, 64’), Robson (Worman, 76’), Newton (Nouble, 86’), Malcolm (Sellars-Fleming, 64’)

Substitutes: Bond, Bartley.

Goals: Akinola (20’), Robson (38’)

Yellow Cards: Tinkler (70’) 

Dagenham & Redbridge: Turner, Harrack (Grego-Cox, 46’), Hessenthaler (Lawless, 59’), Hill, Kalambayi, N’Guessan (Khaleel, 87’), Phipps, Rees, Rutherford, Umerah, Wyllie (Loupalo-Bi, 66’).

Substitutes: Harvey, Clayton, Remy.

Goals: Rees (61’)

Yellow Card: Umerah (55’)

Attendance: 1,371 (102 away)