Match Report: Will Brown

Gateshead exited the Emirates FA Cup at the hands of Stevenage despite a spirited second half comeback at Gateshead International Stadium.

Will Harris and Kamil Conteh’s sublime goals from outside the box to help the Heed come back from 2-0 down weren’t enough to force Stevenage to a replay, as Luke Norris found the back of the net late into the game.

Gateshead had to face their toughest opposition yet this season, with Stevenage finding themselves second in League Two with the ‘The Boro’ losing just once in their last 10 matches

Both sides started well but it was Stevenage who go the first chance of the match in the second minute, Danny Rose played a ball over the top to Jordan Roberts whose headed attempt was saved by James Montgomery.

Gateshead retaliated four minutes later, Owen Bailey’s diagonal pass behind found Dan Ward who beat his man before his shot was dragged wide.

Stevenage’s confidence only increased as the match went on, Alex Gilbey tried his luck from 30-yards on the half volley which Montgomery collected in the 19^th minute.

Stevenage broke the deadlock in the 21^st minute, Jamie Reid played in a floated cross which Danny Rose flicked to the back post which Jordan Roberts struck into the far corner with a well struck volley.

Stevenage doubled their advantage in the 34^th minute, Dean Campbell put in a world-class whipped cross which Kenton Richardson hit into his own net with the defender under pressure from Carl Piergianni.

The first chance of the second half went Stevenage’s way, Luther James-Wildin powered down the right flank before he whipped a cross to the back post which Saxon Ealey managed to get onto from 5-yards, but James Montgomery managed to a vital hand to it

Will Harris got his first goal for the Heed in the 53^rd minute, the striker turned with the ball before he unleashed a shot from 20-yards which deflected off a Stevenage man and looped over Aaron Chapman.

The Harris goal sparked life into Gateshead, five minutes later Adam Campbell looked up before he decided to shoot from 25-yards which forced Chapman into a save.

Gateshead pulled back another to level the game in the 62^nd minute, a loose ball from a corner found Kamil Conteh, who was urged to shoot by the Heed Army and his shot flew into the top corner from outside the box.

In 65^th minute, Owen Bailey opened his body before he attempted a curled attempt from just outside the box which ended up just over the bar

In the 70^th minute Stevenage tried to reinstate their advantage, Michael Bostwick hit low-driven shot from outside the box which Montgomery saved.

A miscommunication between the Heed defence allowed Luke Norris to arrive on the scene to put Stevenage back in front in the 72^nd minute.

Stevenage were down to ten-men in the 82^nd minute when Jordan Roberts kicked Jevon Mills on the floor in retaliation to Mills’ previous attack.

Gateshead: Montgomery, Pye, Richardson, Bailey, Olley, Campbell, Ward, Harris, Daley, Mills, Conteh

Subs: Yussuf (61’) Martin (61’) Hasani (82’)

Goals: Harris (53’), Conteh (62’)

Stevenage: Chapman, James-Wildin, Piergianni, Sweeney, Campbell, Roberts, Vancooten, Gilbey, Reid, Earley, Rose

Subs: Bostwick (68’), Luke Norris (69’) Reeves (69’)

Goals: Roberts (21’) Richardson (O.G 34’) Norris (72’)

Attendance: 1,059 (139 away)