Goals from Tony Weston, Jai Rowe and Sam Osborne earned Boston United a notable scalp in the Isuzu FA Trophy on Saturday afternoon.
The Pilgrims dumped out holders Gateshead in a fixture played at Stockton Town’s MAP Group UK Stadium – with Weston setting the ball rolling in the 37th minute.
Will McGowan equalised in the 66th minute but quickfire responses from Rowe and Osborne inside a three-minute spell sealed United’s safe passage into the last 16 for the first time since 1999.
Graham Coughlan had opted to make three changes to his line-up ahead of kick-off, with Dan Adshead, Keaton Ward and Jacob Hazel all recalled. Goalkeeper Cameron Gregory made a welcome return to the bench for the first time since September.
Chances were at a premium in the early stages, switched to the Northern Premier League outfit following pitch issues at the Gateshead International Stadium.
Aidan Stone made a save to deny Luke Hannant, while Tom Leak produced a brilliant block to deny McGowan.
Stone’s opposite number Owen Mason made a brilliant save to deny Adshead from long-range before the Pilgrims took the lead eight minutes before half-time, with Hazel threading WESTON through to score with a low finish.
Gateshead should have levelled before half-time, with Jovan Malcolm’s header dropping wide from a Josh Williams cross.
Stone flew across goal after half-time to keep out Hannant’s rising drive, but the home side did equalise midway through the half when McGOWAN stabbed home from close-range.
United retook the lead four minutes later when Cameron Green fizzed a free-kick delivery goalwards, which was glanced home by the head of captain ROWE.
The Pilgrims made sure of their victory in the 73rd minute when Weston turned provider for OSBORNE to angle a fine finish across the dive of Mason – just five minutes after stepping off the bench.
Gateshead (3-4-2-1): Owen Mason; Kenton Richardson (Jean Leroy Belehouan 75), Robbie Tinkler (Brandon Haunstrup 75), Dan Jones; Josh Williams (Kaine Adom 75), Regan Booty, Liam Humbles, Luke Hannant; Ben Worman, Will McGowan (Charlie Colkett 79); Jovan Malcolm. Subs (not used): Connor Pani, Lucas Lowery, Preston Leech (gk).
Boston (4-4-2): Aidan Stone; Jai Rowe, Tom Leak, Connor Teale, Cameron Green; Frankie Maguire (Kieran Coates 82), Dylan Hill, Dan Adshead, Keaton Ward (Sam Osborne 68); Tony Weston (Adam Marriott 82), Jacob Hazel (Pemi Aderoju 68). Subs (not used): Sam Reed, Jacob Scott, Cameron Gregory (gk).
Referee: James Oldham.
Attendance: 386.
