Davis insists Eastleigh still in 'strong position' after first defeat

Louis Storey’s stoppage-time goal gave 10-man Gateshead a dramatic win over Eastleigh in their top-of-the-table Vanarama National League clash.

Leaders Eastleigh, who had won their opening four games before drawing with Sutton on Monday, went close early on when Tyrese Shade fired over from a corner and forward Paul McCallum later nodded wide.

The home side then broke the deadlock in added time at the end of the first half through a header from Owen Oseni.

Eastleigh were back on level terms just after the hour though following an incident which saw the hosts reduced to 10 men.

Gateshead forward Tom Allan was sent off for deliberate handball in front of goal, and although Chris Maguire’s penalty was saved, substitute Scott Quigley converted from the rebound.

The Spitfires threatened again with 10 minutes left when McCallum’s effort went over before Storey struck in added time to snatch victory for Gateshead.

Davis said: "It's a top-of-the-table game. To concede in the dying moments is never a pleasing feeling. We work hard on defending our box.

"To concede a goal at the end of each half is tough to take but we are also realistic. We are in a really strong position. We are staying upbeat. I don't want to get too low when we lose.

"It's a game of football that we lost but we are still in a strong position. These were not the Gateshead goals that you expect to concede.

"We are trying to go on and win the game. We made positive changes to try that. When a team loses a player you naturally want to step on and make the pitch look big.

"An opportunity did come and unfortunately it didn't find the back of the net and the ball didn't fall to us in the right moments."

Goalscorer Quigley was withdrawn with the game locked at 1-1 on 65 minutes having pulled up.

"He felt his hamstring. It was precautionary for him to leave the pitch. We won't get any more than that. He felt tightness," Davis explained.