A LATE strike from Sunderland loanee George Honeyman enabled Gateshead to overcome their FA Cup disappointment with a morale-boosting 3-2 win at Boreham Wood.

Early goals from Gus Mafuta and Danny Johnson gave Malcolm Crosby’s side a perfect start as they looked to bounce back from their embarrassing cup exit at the hands of lowly Worcester City.

Gateshead were pegged back when Billy Clifford converted a first-half penalty and substitute Mauro Vilhete swept home a second for Boreham Wood with 15 minutes remaining.

But the Heed had the final words as Honeyman converted Matty Pattison’s deflected cross to claim his first goal since leaving the Academy of Light.

“It’s no secret that we’ve had a bad month,” said Crosby. “We’ve been unfortunate with injuries these last couple of weeks as well, so to pick up a win away against a decent side is a great result for everyone.

“It’s a boost of energy for the whole club, and I think we deserved it. We went 2-0 up and felt a little hard done by with their opener because we think there was a player offside in the build up.

“The decision didn’t go our way, but we kept going. We were a threat of the counter in the second half, and if the final ball had been a bit better, we could have scored a couple more goals.”

Gateshead: Macdonald; Ramsden, Clark, Buddle, Cranston; Pattison, Mafuta, MacLaughlin, Honeyman; Bowman (Shaw 88), Johnson (Wrightson 80).