Substitute Tom Cursons scored twice in the closing stages, including a winner five minutes into stoppage time, as Boston United came from behind to beat bottom club Gateshead 2-1 at the Jakemans Community Stadium and end a six-match National League winless run.
Boston created an early opening when Jamie Grimes headed an Ollie Bostock free-kick straight at Pete Jameson, but Gateshead also threatened, with Michael Spellman shooting over from distance. Sai Sachdev then delivered a dangerous low cross that Jameson had to turn away, before Bostock sent a long-range effort over the bar.
Gateshead took the lead in the 36th minute through former Boston striker Jordy Hiwula-Mayifuila. Harry Chapman broke forward and released Hiwula into the left side of the penalty area, where he drove a powerful finish past Louis Chadwick at the near post to give the visitors a 1-0 half-time advantage.
Boston manager Paul Hurst introduced Georgie Gent for Lewis Shipley at the interval, and the hosts began creating opportunities after the restart. Bostock tested Jameson with a free-kick before Ken Aboh sent an effort narrowly wide. Gateshead remained a threat at the other end, with Spellman forcing Chadwick into a save.
The Pilgrims thought they had equalised when Gent delivered from the left and Jake Rooney headed powerfully into the net, but referee Alan Dale ruled out the goal for a foul. Grimes then headed a Gent corner straight at Jameson as Boston continued searching for a breakthrough.
Hurst introduced Cursons and Jack Holmes for Lenell John-Lewis and Bostock in the 68th minute. Gateshead had an opportunity to double their advantage shortly afterwards when Hiwula crossed for Chapman, but the winger miskicked his close-range volley. Wheeldon then forced Jameson into a good save with a powerful low shot.
The equaliser finally arrived in the 79th minute. Holmes worked his way past several challenges on the left before cutting inside and shooting towards goal. Jameson saved but could not hold the effort, allowing Cursons to react quickest and turn in the rebound.
Boston pressed for a winner, with Rooney heading narrowly wide from a Gent corner in the 88th minute. Gateshead survived a scramble inside their penalty area before the hosts forced a succession of corners during added time.
The decisive moment came in the fifth minute of stoppage time when Gateshead failed to clear amid several blocked attempts inside the area. Cursons collected the loose ball and drove home from close range to complete his brace and secure Boston’s first league victory since beating Forest Green Rovers in September.
The victory moved Boston to 15 points from 15 National League matches and ended a run of three successive league defeats. Gateshead remained bottom on four points from 14 games after an eighth consecutive league loss, having led at half-time before Cursons’ late intervention.
