EASTLEIGH 1 GATESHEAD 1

Gus Mafuta gave Gateshead the lead against Eastleigh but the Heed had to settle for a share of the spoils the season and one that now leaves Club Captain Liam Hogan as the only member of the Gateshead starting 11 not to have found the back of the net this term.

But Gateshead’s lead lasted less than two minutes as a long Eastleigh throw into the box initiated an awkward scramble inside the penalty area before Obileye eventually prodded home.

Despite strong protests from the away side for offside and that Mitch Brundle was fouled in the build up - the goal was given and the score was once again level at 1-1.

After that the game seemed to calm down once again as both sides were reduced to speculative shots from outside the area. Paddy McLaughlin twice shot from range but neither managed to trouble Stack.

As the game started to draw to a close, Gateshead started to push forward more and came very close to retaking the lead as a fine ball from McLaughlin played in Danny Johnson on the left side of the box. With the angle against him, the Heed forward managed to get a shot away which rolled across the face of goal but couldn’t quite manage to get on the right side of the post.

Into stoppage time and Eastleigh had two golden opportunities to win it as the earned a free-kick right on the edge of the Gateshead penalty area. Fortunately for the visitors the setpiece struck the wall but an almighty pinball inside the box ensued before Gateshead eventually cleared.

And with what would prove to be the last kick of the game, Eastleigh broke away before substitute Scott Wilson side-footed the ball toward goal which Montgomery was equal to.

With the ball in the Gateshead keeper’s hands, the referee blew for fulltime as the game ended 1-1.

The result now means next week’s equally long trip to Dover could prove to be vital in determining the fate of Neil Aspin’s men in regards to their play-off challenge.