GATESHEAD conceded a stoppage-time equaliser in a 2-2 draw at Grimsby Town that put a major dent in their opponents’ hopes of winning promotion to the Football League.

Kevin Sainte-Luce fired the Heed into a 34th-minute lead as he drilled home a crisp strike from inside the area.

Grimsby levelled when Jack Mackreth scored eight minutes into the second half, but Gateshead reclaimed their advantage when Sainte-Luce claimed his second goal of the game.

The visitors’ hopes of holding on to their lead were dented when midfielder Valentin Gjokaj was dismissed for a second yellow card in the final minute, and there was a sting in the tail in the fifth minute of stoppage time.

Mackreth delivered a cross, and Craig Disley powered home a header to keep Grimsby within three points of Barnet at the top of the Conference table.

Gateshead: Dixon; Curtis, Baxter, Ramshaw (Orrell 60), Pattison; Shaw, Chandler, Gjokaj, Rodman; Rankine, Sainte-Luce.