MARCUS DINANGA came off the bench to seal Gateshead’s place in the FA Trophy quarter-finals at the expense of Hereford.

Dinanga latched onto Nathan Cameron’s header backwards before lobbing Curtis Pond for a 77th minute lead.

Paul Caddis’ side threw everything at a late equaliser with goalkeeper Pond coming forward and agonisingly heading a corner wide at the death.

National League side Gateshead look to control the tie and a teasing cross into the Bulls’ box was almost met by Dajuane Brown in the 10th minute before Ben Worman’s resulting effort could only find the side-netting.

Pond produced a fine save in the 26th minute when Lirak Hasani guided his side-footed volley goalwards, but the shot stopper using an outstretched leg to deny the midfielder.

Gateshead came close again when Connor McBride’s long range effort from 20 yards was denied by the outside of the post.

The Bulls looked to respond and Kyle Howkins found the run of Jason Cowley on the stroke of half-time who cut inside before seeing his effort blocked by the outstretched leg of Louis Storey.

A brief opportunity fell to Cowley four minutes into the second half after Will Constantine’s header dropped at his feet, but the marksman was unable to connect with his attempted volley.

The deadlock was broken in the 77th minute when Cameron’s backwards header was latched onto by Dinanga who lifted the ball over Pond from the six-yard line for a 1-0 lead.

With time running out Hereford threw bodies forward and Aurio Teixeira’s 94th minute cross was met by Cowley whose header skimmed the top of Harrison Bond’s crossbar who was seemingly beaten.

Pond was given the all clear to venture forward two minutes later and managed to make contact with Alex Babos’ wide free-kick, glancing his deflected header out for a corner.

With eight minutes of added time played, Babos’ corner was met by Pond whose header from three yards out looked destined to bulge the net before deflecting off Jordan Lyden and flying inches wide of the post.

Hereford: Pond, Skinner, Teixeira, Downing, Babos, Cowley, Williams (Rooney 53), Mendes (Lyden 66), Southern, Cameron, Howkins

Unused subs: Sterry, Walby