GATESHEAD will have to win a replay if they are to make the quarter-finals of the FA Trophy after a late deflection deprived them of a win at Maidstone United.

The Heed overhauled a second-half deficit to lead with eight minutes left, but Jai Reason’s late strike, which deflected off his Maidstone team-mate Delano Sam-Yorke, means Steve Watson’s side will have to do it again at the International Stadium tomorrow night.

Gateshead almost took the lead in the opening ten minutes, but after signing in midweek following his release from Sunderland, Rees Greenwood saw his long-range strike crash against the crossbar.

Danny Johnson saw a decent effort saved by Maidstone goalkeeper Lee Worgan, but having been unable to break the deadlock before the interval, the visitors fell behind against the run of play on the hour mark. Jamar Loza dribbled his way into the left-hand side of the area, and drilled home a crisp low finish.

Watson brought on Richard Peniket and Lewis McNall for the final 20 minutes, and his changes had an instant impact.

McNall levelled things, with the Newcastle United loanee rising to claim his second Gateshead goal as he headed home Scott Barrow’s cross.

The Heed claimed the lead in the 82nd minute, with Jordan Preston sparking a crisp passing move that ended with Peniket turning in the area before sweeping home.

Maidstone threw everything at their opponents in an attempt to snatch an equaliser, and the hosts secured a replay in the final minute. Reason fired in a shot from the edge of the area, and a hefty deflection off Sam-York meant Heed goalkeeper James Montgomery had no chance.

Gateshead: Montgomery; Kerr, Byrne, Fyfield; York, Penn, McLaughlin, Greenwood (Preston 79), Barrow; Johnson (McNall 68), Burrow (Peniket 68).