THERE IS REASON TO SMILE AS HEED SUFFER

MAIDSTONE and Gateshead will meet again on Tuesday night after late goals from both sides saw an entertaining match end in a stalemate.

It was the Heed who looked more dangerous early on, and with just four minutes played, Danny Johnson hit a low shot from about 20 yards out which Lee Worgan had to parry.

Gateshead then went even closer; Paddy McLaughlin found Rees Greenwood, who was making his debut for the Heed having been released by Sunderland, and his rising drive from 25 yards out smashed into the bar.

Greenwood was involved again when he cut out a goal-kick from Worgan. He quickly found Johnson, who ran forwards before electing for an early shot but he was denied by a superb save by Worgan who flung himself to his right.

The Stones began to up the tempo early in the second half, and they took the lead just before the hour.

Jama Loza came in off the left wing, beat two Gateshead defenders before thumping home a fine finish.

But Maidstone’s lead didn’t last long. An excellent cross from Scott Barrow fell to substitute Lewis McNall. McNall, who had been on the pitch for only three minutes, diverted his header goalwards but it was accidentally helped into the net by the hapless Alex Wynter.

Gateshead might have thought they had won the match when substitute Richard Peniket’s curling shot took a deflection off Josh Hare as it flew past the despairing dive of Worgan,

But in stoppage-time, Maidstone equalised. Jai Reason’s half-volley also took a deflection as it went past Montgomery and into the back of the net.