Southport

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Lee Novak

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Gateshead 1-1 Southport

Gateshead will meet AFC Telford in the play-off final at the International Stadium on Friday after securing a 1-1 home draw against Southport.

The Tynesiders benefited from their 1-0 win in the reverse fixture and were gifted the lead in the second leg as visiting defender Adam Flynn played a weak back pass to goalkeeper Tony McMillan.

The alert Lee Novak intercepted the ball and cooly slotted it into the back of the net before the half-time interval. After the break, the Sandgrounders used the counter attack to good effect when Ciaran Kilheeney's shot after a terrific run was smothered by Heed stopper Paul Musselwhite. Midfielder Robbie Booth was on hand to smash the loose ball home and level the scores.

However, the visitors knew a draw would not be good enough and continued to push forward, but they were halted by resolute defending.

Earl Davis and Kilheeney both had late headers to try and force the game into extra time, but the latter nodded his effort over the bar, while Musselwhite was equal to Davis' chance.