Hartlepool United conducted a historic 1-0 win over Gateshead in the Enterprise National League to ensure their first victory on Tyneside since 1954
After a goalless first half, Besart Topallaj scored what turned out to be the only goal in an end-to-end affair.
Pools had the first chance of the game just shy of the tenth minute after a tackle high up the pitch fell for Alex Reid, whose low strike was tipped away by Tiernan Brooks.
Kyle Hurst, from the edge of the box, would then see Gateshead’s first effort curled just wide of Harvey Cartwright’s left post after it fell for the midfielder from a set-piece.
The Homeside nearly found an opener just past the first quarter after a loose ball just inside the box bent wide of the post.
Another long-range effort would soon follow via Matty Daly, after collecting the ball from deep, the forward drove forward before unleashing a shot which glanced off Brooks’ far post.
Pools forced another close-range stop from Brooks after a back-post cross from Besart Topallaj was headed across goal by Jermaine Francis before Daly’s header was palmed out of play.
Brooks was called into action in the final minute of the first half after Francis, from the right, beat his full-back before his ball across the goalmouth was deflected off the keeper’s face.
Luke Charman would open proceedings in the second half after his shot from 25 yards was well stopped by Brooks.
Just past the hour, Charman locked onto a Francis switch before his shot, from a tight angle, was parried out of danger by Brooks.
Hartlepool would continue to come in their droves, as after great hold-up play from Reid inside the box, the striker would find an overlapping Francis, whose shot from a similar position was stopped.
On the 70th minute, a double effort against Brooks applied more pressure on the Heed, followed by Cameron John’s curled effort from close that was parried into the path of Reid, whose first-time shot was cleared off the line.
Topallaj would eventually find Pools’ breakthrough, after receiving the ball inside the box, the wing-back’s following effort was sliced between Brooks’ hands.
Injury time saw Jamie Miley try his luck from the edge of the box after his cut was bent just over the crossbar.
Cartwright at the death ensured Pools took home the 3 points after a chested touch from Frank Nouble fell for Kain Adom, whose effort forced a great reaction save.
Pools: Cartwright, Benn, John, Kouogun, Francis, Charman (Johnson 75’), Sheron, Reid (Oliver 75’), Topallaj, Daly, Walker (Miley 67’)
Unused subs: Smith, Campbell, Hunter
Goal: Topallaj (74’)
Away attendance: 800
