The Pilgrims trailed 2-0 inside 22 minutes courtesy of goals from Macaulay Langstaff and Cedwyn Scott and although Preston reduced the arrears in the 36th minute, United found themselves two goals behind once again a minute later when Langstaff netted his second.

The result left United contemplating their third away defeat in four league matches so far, following the concession of three goals to Gateshead for the fourth match in a row.

United had actually started brightly, but fell behind in the fifth minutes following move of simplicity. A long ball over the top saw LANGSTAFF outstrip Matt Tootle and despite an initial George Sykes-Kenworthy save, Gateshead's top scorer rammed home the rebound.

Matters got worse on 22 minutes when Adam Campbell's cross from the right was prodded home at the near post by the advancing SCOTT.

United gave themselves a lifeline nine minutes before the break when Fraser PRESTON made it four goals in four appearances with a low effort which clipped the inside of the post on its way in.

However, Gateshead re-established their two-goal cushion within 45 seconds, with LANGSTAFF sailing home a deflected effort from 20 yards to rubber-stamp the points ahead of a non-descript second half.

Gateshead (4-3-3): Jacob Chapman; Robbie Tinkler, Mike Williamson (Louis Storey 84), Alex Nicholson, Matt Jacob; Greg Olley, Owen Bailey, Dan Ward; Adam Campbell (Elliot Forbes 90), Cedwyn Scott (Paul Blackett 73), Macaulay Langstaff. Sub (not used): Ryan Wombwell.

Boston (4-3-3): George Sykes-Kenworthy; Matt Tootle, Luke Shiels, Scott Garner, Scott Duxbury (Jake Leake 72); Paul Green, Shane Byrne, Luke Spokes (Jordan Preston 56); Fraser Preston, Jordan Burrow (Joe Leesley 56), Danny Elliott. Subs (not used): Tom Platt, Keenan Ferguson.

Referee: Richard Aspinall.

Attendance: 1,198 (63 visitors).

PIC: Eric Brown.