Chris Hilton’s Stocksbridge Park Steels bowed out of the FA Trophy after a brave display at Gateshead
Stocksbridge Park Steels gave an extremely brave account of themselves as they bowed out of the FA Trophy with the 4-1 defeat at National League outfit Gateshead.
The Steels must have been quietly confident of causing an upset having seen off holders North Ferriby in the last round and Chris Hilton’s men actually enjoyed a dream start.
Scott Ruthven, a key player during the Trophy run, made a burst forward and finished with a low drive to silence the home support.
Steels full-back Rory Coleman then rattled the crossbar as the visitors ramped up the pressure at the International Stadium.
Gateshead began to assert pressure on the stroke of half-time when the equaliser arrived through Nathan Buddle.
Ryan Bowman put Gateshead in front on the hour and the home side booked their trip to Eastleigh with late goals from Gus Mafuta and Danny Johnson.
Stocksbridge Park Steels: D.Reay, Meade, Coleman, Patterson (Poulton, 45+2), McFadyen, M.Reay, Hinchliffe, Biggins, Ruthven, Lumsden, Gregory.