Maidstone’s stirring late comeback proved in vain as Gateshead took the points at the Gallagher Stadium.

The Heed opened up a 3-0 lead with Luke Molyneux scoring either side of Robbie Tinkler.

Jake Cassidy pulled a goal back in the 79th minute and George McLennan added a quick second but Maidstone couldn’t force an equaliser.

Harry Wheeler promised a different type of Maidstone performance, vowing to be quick out of the blocks and entertain the home fans.

He was as good as his word to start with, too, as United noticeably played a lot more football than in recent weeks, even though Luke Armstrong should have put Gateshead in front inside two minutes after Jack Paxman’s pass was cut out.

The Stones were easy on the eye, with home debutant Jake Robinson and Elliott Romain buzzing about up front and Sean Shields looking good on the right.

Robinson headed over after a nice exchange with Shields, then hit keeper Aynsley Pears in a one-on-one when played in by Cassidy.

In between, Romain teed up Paxman, whose first-time cracker from 30 yards was pushed over the bar.

The Stones’ promising start unravelled after Gateshead took the lead in the 25th minute.

Tom White fed Molyneux in space and he shifted the ball on to his left foot before arrowing a beauty into the top corner from 30 yards.

Gateshead took control from there, popping the ball about nicely and creating further chances, with the second goal following in the 33rd minute.

The Stones weren’t switched on as a short corner was worked to Tinkler.

There wasn’t a home player anywhere near him as he ran on to the ball and fired into the bottom corner from 25 yards.

Gateshead went 3-0 up in the 56th minute and it was another poor one to concede.

This time, Michael Phillips gave away possession on the edge of the area and Molyneux slotted past Worner, leading to boos from the home fans.

Maidstone pulled a goal back 11 minutes from time with Cassidy finishing the rebound after Romain’s low header was well saved by Pears.

That gave the place a lift and Maidstone added their second three minutes later with substitute Jack Powell’s cross turned in by McLennan.

Maidstone, with the home fans now firmly behind them, gave everything to try and snatch a point but Gateshead survived.

Worner came up for an injury-time corner, heading over the bar.

Maidstone: Worner, Phillips, Walton, McLennan (Swaine 90mins), Shields, Paxman (Tajbakhsh 61mins), Muldoon (Powell 61mins), Wishart, Cassidy, Robinson, Romain. Subs not used: Strizovic, Wassmer.

Attendance: 2,131 (27 away).