GATESHEAD improved their position in the bottom half of the National League table as they claimed their first victory since November courtesy of a 3-1 win at Chester City.

A spell of three goals in the space of ten minutes either side of the interval proved crucial, with Paddy McLaughlin, Jordan Burrow and Jordan Preston all scoring for the Heed.

Harry White claimed a late consolation for Chester, but Gateshead were always in control as they produced comfortably their most accomplished display of the year so far.

“It was a very important win for us,” said Gateshead skipper Neill Byrne. “We needed to get the three points and carry on from our performance on Tuesday night at Boreham Wood.

“In the first 20 minutes, we knew that they would come out and give it a good go, but I think the quality from the lads just shone through.

“We got two goals just before half-time, and then came out and quickly got a third, which was great for us. Obviously, they’re at home so they’re going to push for a goal, but I think that worked in our favour.”

Gateshead named Ben Fox in their starting line-up less than 24 hours after he completed a loan move from Burton Albion, and Steve Watson’s side claimed the lead towards the end of the first half when McLaughlin stroked home after a short-corner routine eventually fell to his feet inside the penalty area.

The Heed doubled their lead less than a minute later as some good work from Wes York enabled Burrow to claim his tenth goal of the season.

It was 3-0 at the start of the second half as a flowing counter-attacking move from a Chester corner ended with Burrow setting up Preston to curl home.

White turned home Jordan Gough’s cross to hand Chester a late consolation, but Gateshead comfortably held on to claim a win that lifts them into 15th position ahead of tomorrow night’s home game with Woking.

Gateshead: Hanford; Vassell, Byrne, Fyfield, Barrow; Fox, Penn, McLaughlin; York (Kerr 76), Burrow, Preston.