Heed tame Lions at the death
GATESHEAD returned to winning ways in their belated first run out in 2021 – but left it late.
The clock had just ticked into injury time when super-sub Macaulay Langstaff struck the only goal of the game against Guiseley.
The striker had also come off the bench to score a late winner in the Heed’s last win back in November at Chester.
Kal Griffiths’ good delivery paved the way for Langstaff to pounce at the back post to give Gateshead a 1-0 win.
The Lions had been tamed at the death, returning goalkeeper James Montgomery also a Heed hero.
In his first game since the middle of November, Montgomery’s excellent triple save denied Guiseley an early goal.
Teenage midfielder Danny Greenfield had a fine first half, while Dillon Morse was a rock at the back.
Former Gateshead academy product Morse was one of three debutants in a much-changed side.
Fellow South Shields loanee Blair Adams also slotted into the back line while Lirak Hasani made his bow in midfield. The 18-year-old, on loan from Doncaster Rovers, struggled in the first half, but showed glimpses after the break.
After a shambolic opening to the game where they were all at sea, Gateshead gradually gained control. Clear-cut chances were few and far between, but they got over the line at the end as frustration turned to ecstasy.
Delighted player-manager Mike Williamson admitted: “It was a tough afternoon. Ultimately the performance the lads gave deserved the three points.
“We had to wait for it, and that showed resilience and fitness, strength of mind and character.
“The result was a fair reflection of the 90 minutes and the ground staff did well to get the game on.
”Kick-off was put back two hours to 5pm to give the pitch every chance to recover from the recent cold spell.”
Montgomery had missed eight games with a knee injury, and immediately found himself under siege. A triple save from the same 10th minute move blew away any cobwebs he may have had.
After tipping Hamza Bencherif’s header on to the bar he saved Bailey Thompson and Prince Ekpolo’s follow up efforts.
“Monty kept us in the game in the first 20 minutes with three very good saves,” added Williamson.
“After that we dominated possession, got into the final third numerous times and could have had a couple of goals.
”Gateshead continued to probe after a shaky start to a game that looked to be heading for a goalless stalemate.”
Lions keeper Brad Wade clawed away Jordan Preston’s 90th-minute header only for there to be a sting in the tail. Right-back Griffiths again got forward and Langstaff ghosted in at the back post to poach a last-gasp winner.