Gateshead's winless run continued with a 2-1 home defeat to Worthing on Saturday, a result sealed by a late own goal from captain Alex Lankshear. The loss leaves the club rooted to the bottom of the National League table with just four points from twelve games.
Jake Wadham gave the visitors the lead after nineteen minutes, finishing from a Joel Young pass. Gateshead responded ten minutes later when Femi Issaka set up Jordy Hiwula for the equaliser. The match turned in the 71st minute when Lankshear inadvertently turned the ball into his own net following pressure from Worthing's Bailey Smith.
The hosts finished the game with four players booked, including Alex McCalmont and Tom Lavery. Managerial changes from both sides in the second half failed to alter the outcome.
This result extends a miserable run of form for Gateshead, who have now lost their last five league matches. They sit 24th in the National League, a full 28 points behind leaders Boreham Wood. The team must now regroup for a trip to face FC Halifax Town next weekend. The full standings show the scale of the challenge facing the squad.
Gateshead have sacked manager Lee Cattermole and assistant Martin Smith, the club confirmed on October 6. The decision follows a seventh straight defeat in all competitions, leaving the side 24th in the National League with just four points from twelve games. Majority shareholder Mark Nellist has also resigned and withdrawn funding. The club stated players and staff have not received September wages, adding that a proposed share transfer to director Stephen Paylor is unlikely to gain regulatory approval. Paylor "is unable to provide funding on his own," the club said.
