Gateshead rise above Chesterfield to ensure National League play-offs

Back to back penalties for the hosts proved vital as Gateshead beat the league-champions.

Luke Hannant bagged the first goal via penalty before another, more controversially-given, penalty was converted by Hannant to make it two for the hosts. A Louis Storey own-goal brought the visitors back into it.

In today’s fixture, a win against the already-crowned champions Chesterfield would guarantee a place in the play-offs. Pitch-side, in-form player of the month winner Dajaune Brown started ahead of top goalscorer Marcus Dinanga for the hosts. Chesterfield put out a much changed side with Ryheem Shckleford, Tyrone Williams, Bailey Hobson, Bailey Clements, Tom Naylor and Mike Jones coming into Paul Cook’s staring eleven.

The first chance came in the fifth minute when Liam Mandeville’s low-driven cross was met close-to-goal by Armando Dobra, forcing a great reflex save from Nathan Harness.

Despite early dominance from Chesterfield, Gateshead were awarded a penatly when Brown was set one on one with visitor’s keeper Harry Tyrer. After trying to knock the ball past him the keeper brought down the Derby Loanee inside the box. Hannant was then able to convert, firing low to put the hosts in-front.

Another close chance then came for the visitors when an error from Robbie Tinkler allowed Hobson to cut into the box from the right, following a deep cross Storey managed to hook it off the line to keep the host’s lead intact.

In the 31st minute, Gateshead got yet another penalty, Brown was set into the box once-more before being taken down by Tyrer. Despite the keeper seemingly getting a touch on the ball, echoing this was Paul Cook who was shown a yellow card on the touchline for dissent.

Hannant then converted, firing into the bottom right corner past Tyrer to put them two goals to the good.

In the 38th minute a chance from Greg Olley proved the last of the first half as the skipper stormed forward before shaping up to shoot, his curled effort glanced wide of the left-sided post.

Brown had a chance to make it three for the hosts in the 51st minute, Ed Francis set up hannant on the right flank who crossed into the path of the Gateshead striker, his acrobatic shot however scooped up and over the bar before landing on-top of Tyrer’s net.

in the 59th minute, Storey failed to convert from close range following an in-swinging Set-piece by Olley.

Chesterfield scored their first in the 60th minute after Mandeville played a ball across the box, in the ensuing scramble Storey got the last touch as the ball fumbled into the back of Harness’ goal.

Sensing a turn in momentum, Elliot looked to his bench to take control of the match, Ben Worman replacing Kain Adom.

Despite the sub another chance came for Chesterfield, Dobra twisted and turned before storming into the box and firing a shot that deflecting and proved easy to collect for Harness.

Following the chance, Elliot oncemore made a sub, Callum Whelan and Joe Grayson replacing Hannant and Olley. Cook’s side also made a sub, Michael Jacobs and Ryan Colclough replacing Joe Quigley and Shackleford.

In the 88th minute, the ball dropped to Dobra inside the box however he was unable to keep his half volley down as it sailed high over Harness’ goal.