Gateshead Reserves 2-3 Leeds United Reserves

Gateshead reserves had a famous victory in their maiden totesport.com Central League game snatched from them at the death as visitors Leeds United scored three goals in eight minutes late in the game.

Superb strikes from Craig Nelthorpe and captain Alex Francis had given Gateshead's second string a deserved 2-0 lead with just quarter of an hour remaining.

But enforced changes saw Nelthorpe and midfielder Steven Baptist replaced and the subsequent reorganisation of the back line was cruelly exploited by the Championship visitors.

American striker Mike Grella, who made 23 appearances for the first team last season, scored twice in two minutes and then wide man Aidy White scored the 85th minute winner with a low diving header.

It was cruel on Gateshead's young guns who had acquitted themselves well in front of an appreciative 251 crowd at the International Stadium.

"It is a double-edged sword as I am really pleased but really disappointed as we should have won the game and would have had we not had to make the changes.

"There was not much between the two sides. We moved the ball around confidently and up until the latter stages we had done very well and were comfortable.

"Brian Wake led the line well, Fisher was lively, Francis had the bit between his teeth, Baptist ran himself into the ground and we scored two great goals.

"It was an encouraging performance and we certainly deserved to get something out of the game - an opening day win."

Gateshead planted trialists Darren Lough and Matt Dempsey at the centre of defence with striker Jonny Allan given an unaccustomed role in midfield.

A third foul on Josh Gillies just outside the penalty area saw Nelthorpe score the opener in first half injury time with a bent free kick past Alex Cairns.

Fisher then lifted the ball over the Leeds keeper straight after the break only to hit the bar and then Wake had an angled shot deflected on to the outside of the post.

An impressive Gateshead looked home and hosed when Francis, having moved into midfield from right back, struck a 25 yard angled thunderbolt into the far corner that would have graced any game.

Changes to a previously solid back line, however, proved costly as teenage debutant Matty Scott failed to deal with Andy Robinson's 77th minute cross and Grella stole in behind him to head home.

Fisher should have immediately restored Gateshead's two goal lead and clinch the game when in on goal but elected to shoot high instead of low allowing Cairns to tip over.

Scott's ball out of defence into midfield was then cut out and and the rookie defender was undone by Jason Crowe's low angled ball into the box which was slotted home by Grella.

Leeds then completed the smash and grab raid when Robinson fired in a low cross by the left corner flag for the unmarked White, who hit the post in the first half, to plant a low diving header into the unguarded net.

Second half substitute Joe McCann was sent off in the last minute for a second yellow card but the Tykes held on to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat.

"We got away with it," admitted Leeds coach Neil Thompson "maybe some players though we could just turn up and win the game and for long periods we weren't at the races.

"You have got to apply yourself mentally and physically and Gateshead won more one to one challenges tonight.

"They had players out there desperate to get into Gateshead's side in the Conference which is a decent division, and one or two of ours fell short in certain areas."

"We are pleased with the result but the performance could have been a lot better and we shouldn't have to go two goals down to wake ourselves up."

Gateshead Reserves: Cook, Francis, Brown, Allan, Dempsey, Lough, Gillies, Baptist (Scott 64), Wake, Fisher, Nelthorpe (Briggs 72). Subs (not used): Gilbert, J.Bogie.

Goals: Nelthorpe (45), Francis (72)

Leeds United Reserves: Cairns, Crowe, Sheehan, Hatfield, Michalik, Turner, Payne (McCann 53), Robinson, Poleon (Booker 69), Grella, White. Subs (not used): Briggs, Turner, Clamp, Lenighan.

Goals: Grella (77, 79), White (85)

Referee: Richard Clark (Morpeth)

Att: 251