GATESHEAD’s blistering start paved the way for a comprehensive victory as the club’s revival under new boss Steve Watson continued with a 3-0 win at Maidenhead United.

The Heed scored twice inside the opening eight minutes as they followed up the previous weekend’s FA Cup first-round win over Chelmsford with another impressive performance.

Luke Hannant opened the scoring at Maidenhead’s York Road ground, slotting into the far corner after JJ O’Donnell inadvertently deflected the ball into his path.

Things got even better in the eighth minute, with Gateshead doubling their lead as Danny Johnson poked home from close range after Scott Barrow’s long-range effort had cannoned off the crossbar.

Johnson came close to claiming a third goal on the quarter-hour mark, and it took Maidenhead until the halfway point of the first half to  create their first opportunity, with Harry Pritchard heading over.

Russell Penn produced a goalline clearance to ensure the Heed entered the interval with a two-goal advantage, and they claimed a third to make the game save five minutes after the break.

The goal bore strong similarities to the opener, with O’Donnell once again setting up Hannant without knowing too much about it, and the midfielder producing another clinical finish to make the most of his good fortune.

Having failed to record an away win prior to Watson’s appointment, Gateshead, who have risen to 14th in the National League table, have now claimed three victories from their four away matches under the former Newcastle United full-back.

Gateshead: Hanford; Tinkler, Kerr, Byrne, Barrow; Penn (McLaughlin 65), Maxwell, Hannant; Johnson, Burrow (Peniket 75), O’Donnell (Preston 62).