Barrow-load of Heed delight after away win

GOALS at the end of the first half and the start of the second saw Gateshead come from behind to win 2-1 at Barrow.

It was a third consecutive away win for the Tynesiders, a result which took them into a play-off position in the National League.

Scott Boden followed his two goals at Chesterfield on Saturday with the equaliser and then Greg Olley grabbed the winner.

Manager Steve Watson made one change to the side which won 3-0 at Chesterfield, Mike Williamson dropping to the bench.

JJ O’Donnell came into a side which included Robbbie Tinkler and Jon Mellish, fresh from their England C call-ups.

It was Barrow, however, who started with all guns blazing as they looked for a fifth win at Holker Street this season.

A disputed free-kick saw John Rooney’s shot saved by Aynsley Pears, the Boro loanee back in action a minute later.

Pears this time saved with his legs from Tyler Smith’s angled shot as the Bluebirds got off to a flyer.

Bristol City loanee Rory Holden, set up by Luke Burgess, curled a fifth-minute shot against the bar and over with Pears beaten.

Josh Kay was next to go close and the Heed did well to survive the opening barrage before they fashioned an opportunity of their own.

On-loan Sunderland attacker Luke Molyneux cut inside to fire a shot just off target and then had another decent effort on goal.

Barrow, however, were causing plenty of problems and they were ahead on 25 minutes through Smith.

The on-loan Sheffield United striker took Burgess’s pass to beat the offside trap and shoot past Pears for his sixth goal of the campaign.

The Heed stunned Barrow with a stoppage-time equaliser as the dangerous Molyneux cut the ball back for Boden to find the net.

Gateshead started the second half as they ended the first - with another goal.

Tinkler was this time the architect slipping in Olley, who made the most of space on the right of the box to shoot past Firth.

O’Donnell then had an effort ruled out after Tinkler’s long throw prompted a scramble in the Barrow box.

The Heed had turned the game on its head to frustrate a fourfigure crowd at Holker Street and can look forward to back-to-back home games.