AN injury time goal robbed Harriers of a deserved point as Gateshead grabbed a barely deserved victory at Aggborough.

Harriers and their North East rivals had played out an entertaining second half.

While keeper Dean Snedker pulled off some fine saves, the hosts also had enough opportunities to win the game.

But with the match heading towards a draw, Paddy McLaughlin pounced in the 93rd to stun the home team.

Head coach Dave Hockaday made a surprise selection by dropping on-loan hitman Matthew Barnes-Homer to the bench and handing a rare start to Gurjit Singh.

New addition Omari Patrick made his debut on the bench.

The first half was a largely stale affair affected by the changeable strong winds.

The exciting came in the opening five minutes.

Snedker pulled off a double save in the second minute, diving down to Gus Mafuta's effort from the edge of the area and then denying Paddy McLaughlin from close range.

Harriers nearly opened the scoring 60 seconds later, only for keeper Sam Russell denying Jordan Jones by distance.

It was Gateshead who had the best of the following 20 minutes but they failed to test Harriers' custodian.

The home side improved in the final 15 minutes of the first half and Singh cut in from the right and let fly from distance and stung Russell's palms.

But the first half ended in a frustrating stalemate.

Harriers created two fantastic goal-scoring chances in the opening flew minutes of the second period.

First, Whitfield drove into the box but from a tight angle fired across the face of goal.

Singh then blazed over the bar after a fine low cross from Jordan Jones.

CJ Hamilton then fired a long range effort over the bar for the away team.

Snedker performed more heroics in the 58th minute. Jordan Cranston's well-struck free-kick curled over the wall and was heading for the top corner before the keeper tipped the shot onto the bar.

Both teams made changes in the 65th minute. Gateshead took off Hamilton for Adam Wrightson.

Defensive midfielder Fazlic was replaced by winger Patrick, a move which saw James McQuilkin switch to central midfield.

Snedker produced a contender for save of the season in the 71st minute.

The keeper was going the wrong way when Ryan Bowman fired home at the far post but somehow he changed direction and denied him from close range.

Substitute Patrick had a chance after good work by Singh and Whitfield but was denied by Russell.

Barnes-Homer replaced Jones in the 77th minute to further bolster Harriers' attacking options.

Both teams had chances from free-kicks, with Cranston and Harriers winger McQuilkn both firing efforts over the bar.

The games seemed to be heading towards an honourable draw when the hosts paid the price for a late lapse.

Harriers failed to clear their lines and from a scramble, McLaughlin finished from six yards.

Harriers: Snedker, Hodgkiss, Maxwell, Langmead, Singh, Jones (Barnes-Homer, 77), Fazlic (Patrick, 65), Francis-Angol, Whitfield (Young, 83), McQuilkin, Howkins.

Subs not used: Rowe-Turner, Brown.

Gateshead: Russell, Baxter, Curtis, Clark, Mafuta, Cranston, Bowman, Honeyman (Johnson, 90), Ramsden, McLaughlin, Hamilton (Wrightson, 65).

Subs not used: McDonald, Buddle, Johnson, Wrightson, Smith.

Referee: Derek Eaton (Gloucester) Attendance: 1,489 (42)