United’s under 19’s were cruelly knocked out of the National League Alliance Cup after a shoot-out defeat against Gateshead.

Patrick Young had put those from the north-east in front after 35 minutes before Lewis Rourke equalised just before the hour to force penalties.

Jericho Bonner’s miss proved costly, and it was left to Eddie Thomas to ensure progression for Ben Clark’s side.

Rourke nearly put the hosts in front after only three minutes when he was slipped through by Harvey Ridgely, but Josh Wilson saved well down low.

United enjoyed ample spell in possession and often looked dangerous, notably on the break, but were limited in the clear-cut chances allowed by their sizeable visitors.

A bright start dwindled and buoyed by an earlier Jamie Nash chance; Gateshead were on top.

Nash – again – Ben Gunneygullari, and Nelson Ogbewe all shared decent chances before Young’s well taken goal ten minutes before the break put them ahead.

Kiarn Nyemba’s introduction of pace at the interval sparked a much-needed response from United, but it was from a more direct approach which yielded an equaliser.

Jordan Haywood’s punt forward was poorly dealt with Charlie Hindson who fluffed his attempted header back to Wilson and Rory Harrison pounced.

His lob goalwards may have been going in, but Rourke nipped in to head the ball into the empty net for a deserved leveller.

United continued their momentum and were unfortunate not to go ahead on several forays forward.

Rourke nearly added a second midway through the second half when he was faced with a gaping goal, only for Ethan Chatt to cleverly bump the striker off his stride and his awkward header dropped wide.

Harrison then floated a shot over the bar before Bonner and Nyemba squandered chances late on and the tie went straight to the dreaded shoot-out.

Haywood, Harrison, and Sam Newell all scored before Bonner’s effort was well saved by Wilson and Gateshead advanced through to the fourth round.

UNITED: Gianni Musson, Harvey Ridgely, Louis Nicholson, Josh Gullet (Kiarn Nyemba 45’), Callum Frogson, Jordan Haywood (C), Rory Harrison, Sam Newell, Jericho Bonner, Lewis Rourke, Nathaniel Peters
SUBS (not used): Charlie Fox, Billy Gillies, Tyler Dacres, Ryan Camm (GK)

GATESHEAD (from): Josh Wilson, Kyle Errington, Charlie Hindson, Lewis Leech, Ethan Chatt, David Oyibo, Jamie Nash, Patrick Young, Eddie Thomas, Ben Gunneygullari, Nelson Ogbewe, Ben Doughty, Sam Barret, Marc McKinley