Maidstone's longest trip of the season ended in a heavy defeat at Gateshead.

Paul Blackett's first-half double and second-half strikes from Greg Olley and Adam Campbell saw the Stones well-beaten at the International Stadium.

Joe Ellul scored a late consolation but the visitors could have no complaints after an afternoon to forget on Tyneside as Gateshead claimed their first win of the season.

Fit-again Roarie Deacon replaced Josh Fawole in the only change from Monday’s win at Aldershot.

The Stones had the benefit of an overnight stay but looked as though they’d just got off the bus after a six-hour journey in a sluggish first half that got what it deserved.

Winless Gateshead have been playing better than their results suggest, by all accounts, with ex-Newcastle defender Mike Williamson building a side who like to attack.

They were well on top in the opening 45, sharper all over the park, first to the ball and neat and tidy in possession.

There were a couple of early warnings for the Stones from balls in behind the defence before the opening goal in the 10th minute.

Greg Olley was the provider, with Blackett racing away from Ellul to beat Yusuf Mersin.

Olley went close to number two from the edge of the box before Maidstone’s first opportunity saw Christie Pattisson hook the ball over after Jack Cawley met Regan Booty’s corner.

Gateshead’s second goal followed in the 29th minute.

George Fowler was the man caught out in the box by Owen Gallagher, presenting Blackett with a simple finish.

Sam Corne had a shot blocked by ex-Sunderland man Kenton Richardson after Deacon and Booty combined - Maidstone’s best move of the first half - before Will Harris was denied by Mersin.

With teenager Jevon Mills on for his debut at half-time and midfielder Owen Bailey dropping into the back four after Richardson went off injured just after the break, Maidstone had a chance to get at an untested centre-back partnership.

It should have encouraged them but while Deacon fired narrowly wide after a nice turn, Gateshead were looking comfortable.

Indeed, the hosts might have added a third when Tom Allan got away from the Stones defence, squaring for Blackett, whose shot was blocked by George Fowler. Allan might have been better shooting himself.

Blackett sent a glancing header wide before Gateshead extended their lead in the 73rd minute.

The Stones switched off as Olley played a short corner with Campbell before cutting inside and bending his shot into the far corner from the edge of the box.

The Heed scored again three minutes later, Lirak Hasani cutting the ball back to Campbell who placed a 20-yard shot into the bottom corner.

You could only see it getting worse as Gateshead continued to attack at will, Mills clearing the bar when well-placed and Blackett with another chance to complete his hat-trick when the ball was played across the face of goal.

But the Stones pulled one back when Elull met Deacon’s corner in the 87th minute.

Seconds later, an excellent Mersin save denied Blackett when set up by Campbell.

Gateshead: Langley, Tinkler, Richardson (Hasani 55mins), Bailey, Blackett, Olley, Campbell, Ward, Harris, Gallacher, Magnay (Mills 46mins). Subs: Montomgery, Allan, Williamson.

Maidstone: Mersin, Fowler, Ellul, Cawley, Booty, Gurung (Lyons-Foster 76mins), Corne, Pattisson, Barham (Fawole 61mins), Deacon. Subs: Hadler, Alabi, Odusanya.

Referee: Ed Duckworth.

Attendance: 859 (108 away).