The Spitfires are beaten for the first time this season, following a late winner from Gateshead at the Gateshead International Stadium.

The home side pushed to score very early on in the game, and had a couple of shots within the first two minutes. Their efforts were blocked by the Eastleigh defence and cleared away to safety.

Owen Oseni was slipped through on goal in the 12th minute. However, he could not find the target with hit effort, meaning the score would remain level.

The Spitfires’ first proper go on goal came in the 22nd minute. Chris Maguire whipped a low-driven corner into the path of Tyrese Shade on the edge of the box. Unfortunately, Shade could not keep his shot down.

The Spitfires next chance came in the 40th minute. Niall Maher sent a cross into the box which was met by McCallum, who could not direct the ball towards the target.

Callum Whelan had a shot from range in the 43rd minute, but he saw his effort matched well by Joe McDonnell who got down low to deny him.

Oseni gave the Heed the lead of the game on the stroke of half-time, scoring his third of the season in the process.

The Spitfires got back on level terms in the 63rd minute. Maguire saw his penalty saved by Brooks, before Scott Quigley chased down the rebound. He fired the ball into the back of the net to level things up.

Tyrelle Newton blasted a shot just of the post just over ten minutes after this, in an attempt to restore the hosts lead.

Paul McCallum came close to putting the Spitfires ahead in the 80th minute, but he couldn’t keep his shot down and saw it go over the crossbar.

Louis Storey gave Gateshead a late lead of the game, and they would go on to hold out for the remainder of the game. The Spitfires suffered defeat for the first time this season.

Gateshead: Brooks (GK), Tinkler, Butterfield (Newton, 65′), Richardson (C) (Belehouan, 46′), Storey, Allan, Booty, Oseni (Adom, 77′), Whelan (Beck, 87′), Worman, Hannant

Unused subs: Based (GK), McGowan, Colkett

Goals: Oseni (45+3′), Storey (90′)

Yellow cards: Whelan (57′)

Eastleigh: McDonnell (GK), Vokins (Boutin, 79′), Humphries, Francillette, Maguire, Taylor (C), McCallum, Shade, Waruih, Semenyo (Quigley, 46′) (Hodson, 65′), Maher

Unused subs: Scott (GK), Webber, Rogers, Dotse

Goals: Quigley (63′)

Yellow cards: Semenyo (14′), Waruih (89′)

Referee: James Bancroft

Attendance: 1,302 (41 away)

Report by Matthew Gibbs