Match Report: Jack McGraghan

Luke Hannant’s penalty saw Gateshead earn the first win of Carl Magnay’s tenure at Sutton United.

The midfielder converted from the spot after Ben Radcliffe’s shot was handballed in the area, before a resolute defensive display sent The Heed back up to fourth in the National League table.

Gateshead’s first visit to Sutton since 2019 saw the visitors dominate possession in the opening 45 minutes, with the home side content to relinquish control of the game in an effort to thwart The Heed’s attack.

Chances were few and far between for both sides until after the break, with Eduino Vaz sending a 20-yard strike just wide of the post on the break while at the other end a back-pass was almost cut-out by Jacob Butterfield in the penalty area.

Dan Jones blocked an effort from Will Davies in one of few actions in either box before half time, though the game’s deciding moment arrived nine minutes after the restart.

Regan Booty’s lofted ball into the box was knocked down to Radcliffe and struck towards goal, striking the arm of a Sutton man in a crowded box and leading to the assistant referee awarding Gateshead a penalty with 54 minutes gone.

Hannant stepped up to slot into the left-hand corner for his third goal of the season, putting The Heed in front and forcing Sutton to take off the handbrake in the second half.

Jayden Harris was the first Sutton man to be denied by Tiernan Brooks afterwards, though Gateshead remained a threat of their own and struck the crossbar through Callum Whelan’s 25-yard strike late on.

The U’s sent a number of crosses into the box into injury time in an effort to claw back an equaliser, but The Heed stood firm to keep their clean sheet and take all three points back to Tyneside.

Gateshead: Brooks, Radcliffe, Belehouan, Jones, Hannant, Newton, Booty, Whelan, Malcolm (Colkett, 79’ (Home, 89’)), Butterfield (Worman, 72’), Beck (Oseni, 71’).

Substitutes: Basey, Tinkler, Allan.

Goals: Hannant (53′, pen).

Yellow Cards: Newton (61’), Oseni (88’), Hannant (90+3’), Booty (90+6’) 

Sutton United: Sims, Barbrook, Coley, Davies, French, Harris, Kirk, Odelusi, Sivi (De Silva, 80’), Vaz (Rush, 73’), Waller.

Substitutes: Arnold, Boateng, Okoli.

Yellow Cards: Vaz (38’), Harris (78’), Barbrook (85’)

Attendance: 2,101 (50 Gateshead)