Heed hero retains place for replay

HAT-TRICK hero Jordan Burrow will lead the Gateshead attack in tonight’s FA Trophy second-round replay at Boreham Wood.

Burrow’s triple blast late in Saturday’s original tie almost saw the Heed complete a remarkable comeback.

Trailing by two goals, Gateshead briefly led before they were pegged back by a penalty in the fifth minute of stoppage time.

The two sides will do it all again in Hertfordshire tonight, and Gateshead prepared properly with an overnight stay in Watford last night.

The winners face an away tie against mid-table Vanarama National League side Maidstone United in the third round on February 3.

Boreham Wood, sixth in the table, have won half their games on home soil at Meadow Park.

Gateshead boss Steve Watson wants to see his side replicate the form they showed late in the first tie at the International Stadium.

Watson told The Chronicle: “If we roll out a 90-minute performance the way we played in the last 20 minutes on Saturday we’ll be fine.

“But that’s all down to us being positive and, as many times I can say it, at least the lads have seen what they can do now.

“We’ll go into the replay with what we’ve got, and if anything happens later in the week for Chester, then great.”

Peniket and back-up goalkeeper James Montgomery both miss out through injury, JJ O’Donnell is again doubtful, and Kieran Green is trophy-tied.

Young striker Macaulay Langstaff is added to a travelling squad that has used Luton Town’s training facilities ahead of the replay.

Draw specialists Gateshead have won only one of their last nine games – an extra-time winner against Guiseley in the Trophy.

Boreham Wood manager Luke Garrard has urged his side to complete the job tonight having been comfortable for most of the tie on Tyneside.

Garrard said: “The boys were immense for 75 minutes at Gateshead. The game plan was set and we were two up.

“Gateshead had yet to register a shot and then suddenly we’re 3-2 down with a minute to play, so it was then good to get a replay.”

The extra fixture means Gateshead play eight games in the first month of 2018.