Gateshead secured a thrilling 3-2 victory over Forest Green Rovers at The Bolt New Lawn in a National League encounter that ebbed and flowed until the final whistle. An initial onslaught from the visitors and a late rally from the home side defined a match where Forest Green ultimately fell short.
Gateshead started strongly, with Jovan Malcolm opening the scoring in the first minute, assisted by Luke Hannant. Forest Green struggled to respond, and Gateshead continued to dominate. Their pressure paid off just before half-time when Jovan Malcolm scored his second goal in the 44th minute.
Forest Green began the second half searching for a way back into the game, but it was Gateshead who further extended their advantage. Liam Humbles found the net in the 62nd minute, assisted by George Shelvey, seemingly putting the result beyond doubt.
As the match entered its final stages, Forest Green threw everything forward. Their efforts were rewarded in the 87th minute when George Shelvey unluckily put the ball into his own net. This goal galvanised the home side, and in the fourth minute of added time, substitute Christian Doidge, who had entered the fray in the 70th minute alongside fellow substitute Joe Quigley, scored, assisted by Quigley. However, Gateshead managed to hold on for the victory.
The match saw a number of substitutions as both teams sought to influence the game. Gateshead made an early change in the 38th minute, replacing Branden Horton with Ethan Robson. Forest Green responded with a triple substitution in the 70th minute, bringing on Teddy Jenks, Christian Doidge, and Joe Quigley. Luke Hannant of Gateshead and Kyle McAllister of Forest Green Rovers were both shown yellow cards for fouls.
The result sees Gateshead climb to 5th position with 66 points, boosting their play-off hopes. Forest Green remain in 3rd position with 75 points, securing a play-off quarter-final place despite the loss.