Gateshead 4-3 Sunderland XI

04/08/2012, by Jeff Bowron

Gateshead edged a goal fest at the International Stadium to end their seven match pre-season build up on a winning note.

The Tynesiders overcame the hammer blow of finding themselves two goals down after just five minutes against Sunderland's young guns.

A storming second half fightback looked to have been denied by Billy Knott's late leveller only for Ryan McGorrigan to poach a last gasp winner.

Trialist, and former Magpie, McGorrigan scored twice after replacing Liam Hatch at half-time, another sub, Nathan Fisher, and Chris Bush also scoring.

Ian Bogie's men had conceded an early goal against a Newcastle United XI on Wednesday, this time they leaked two in a disastrous opening.

The Black Cats were ahead on three minutes when Adam Reed's shot deflected off James Curtis to leave Adam Bartlett helpless.

Worse was to follow when Jordan Laidler picked up Knott's through ball to steer the ball past Bartlett.

A shell-shocked Gateshead were back in it in the 18th minute when Sunderland failed to clear a Josh Gillies corner.

Hatch lobbed the ball back from the byline to defender Bush who volleyed past former Darlington loanee Jordan Pickford.

Roarie Deacon went close either side of half-time but the momentum was now with Gateshead, and they should have been level after 65 minutes.

Pickford tripped Yemi Odubade inside the penalty area but the striker's spot kick hit the underside of the bar.

Bogie had made three changes at half-time and another three during the second half as The Heed built up a head of steam.

The equaliser had to come and it arrived in the 72nd minute after former Sunderland trainee Jamie Chandler had driven into the box.

The midfield dynamo picked out McGorrigan who found the net on the turn to set up a dramatic finale.

Fisher then gave Gateshead the lead for the first time after he had squandered a good chance from six yards.

Atoning for that miss the striker eased past challenges to find the bottom corner with a fine finish from outside the box.

Sunderland were not done, however, and quickly restored parity when Knott shot home powerfully from 20 yards.

Undeterred The Heed came up with the winner at the death McGorrigan finishing clinically after being set up by Fisher.

Gateshead: Bartlett, Magnay (McGlen, 85), Boyle (Marwood, 46), Chandler, Curtis (Wilson, 68), Clark, Gillies, Hatch (McGorrigan, 46), Odubade (Fisher, 68), Bush, Turnbull (Cummings, 46)
Sub (not used): Nixon (gk)

Sunderland XI: Pickford, Oliver, Adams (Gorrin, 63), Laing, Ferguson, Mitchell, Deacon (Joyce, 74), Reed (Callaghan, 62), Knott, Laidler, Lynch (E Robson 74)
Subs (not used): Wilson (gk), Dixon.

Referee: David Webb (Stanley)

Attendance: 519

Carl Magnay