Gateshead Reserves 5-4 Sunderland RCA

Gateshead reserves sensationally scored three goals in the last nine minutes to reach the last four of the Durham Challenge Cup against all the odds.

A Gateshead side consisting of only three squad players and goalkeeping coach Chris Porter, the rest rookie teenagers, stormed to victory through late Josh Gillies, Rob Briggs and Jonny Allan strikes.

Richard Logan's hat-trick looked to have put RCA through until Gateshead's late salvo turned the tables.

The Tynsiders never say die spirit shone through and while Gillies stole the show young midfilder Andy Brown wasn't far behind.

Gateshead took the lead with a sublime 27th minute goal from former Carlisle and Morton forward Brian Wake, his 14th of the sesaon for the reserves.

But within five minutes Paul Bryson's makeshift side were behind as RCA hit back.

Pouncing on to Brown's threaded pass Wake raced clear from half way to cleverly chip Gary Hoggeth as he went to ground from a tight angle.

Logan tapped home the equaliser from Harrison Davies' low cross within two minutes.

Another Logan tap-in after Davies' deep cross had been headed back across goal then put RCA in front.

Carl Beasley cleared a Josh Gillies cross shot off the line just before the break and Wake blazed over from 12 yards after more good work from Brown.

Three goals in three minutes before the hour followed, RCA captain Beasley sliding home at the back post following a left side corner.

Gillies' piledriver reduced the deficit only for Logan to complete his hat-trick with a powerful 15 yard finish.

That should have been that but a plucky Gateshead refused to lie down.

Jonny Evans should have got a third but was unable to convert a one-on-one from Rob Briggs' cushioned header.

Chris Porter saved from John Toft at the other end before a plucky Gateshead were given a lifeline in the 81st minute..

Allan's 22 yard drive was parried by Hoggeth and Briggs knocked home the rebound.

Gillies then cut inside on the left side of the box to drill a fine shot into the net off the far post.

The comeback was complete when Allan popped up with a dramatic stoppage time winner after Gillies' free kick had crashed against the bar.

Gateshead Res: Porter, Gilbert, McDonald, Evans (Cox 72), Lay, Scott, Briggs, Brown,Wake, Allan, Gillies
Subs (not used): Dodds

Sunderland RCA: Hoggeth, Jones, Talbot, Beasley, Oates, Duke (McGuire 88), Walton, Graydon (Coghlan 46), Logan, Smith, Davies
Subs (not used): Fairish, Richards

Referee: Steve Smith (Darlington)