Despite fighting back from two goals down to level the scores Harriers' season got off to a disappointing start as a late Gateshead winner consigned them to defeat.

Debuts were given to four players in the starting line-up - Tom Marshall, Kyle Storer, James Vincent and Steve Guinan - and it was one of the new players who was at the centre of the action as Harriers fell behind in the third minute.  Storer was penalised for handball after Chris Carruthers' free-kick hit him mas he was part of the defensive wall, referee Steve Martin had no hesitation in pointing to the penalty spot straight away.  Jon show took the penalty and opened the scoring by blasting his shot in off the crossbar.

Harriers didn't let this early setback affect them too much and got back into the game, even getting on top, and could have levelled the scores after ten minutes; a short corner routine on the right involving Callum Gittings and Marc Williams ended with the former crossing to the far post where Luke Jones rose to plant a header against the upright.

Against the run of play, however, Gateshead doubled their advantage on 19 minutes; Shaw found himself with a lot of time and space to head the ball out to Yemi Odubade on the right wing, his cross found and unmarked Micky Cummins who was able to plant a firm header past Danny Lewis in the Harriers goal.  Harriers responded quickly and reduced the deficit moments later, Marc Williams slipping the ball through the inside-right channel for Nick Wright who jinked his way into the penalty area and slotted a low shot into the far corner of the net.

Five minutes later Harriers were level; another Gittings corner from the right found debutant Storer who rose to head firmly past Paul Farman to mark his first game with his first goal for the club.

Harriers should have taken the lead seven minutes after the interval; the lively Wright was set free on the right, he broke into the penalty area and took the ball wide of the keeper but fired over the bar from close range with the goal at his mercy.  That miss seemed to affect the player as his influence on the game began to wane from that point onwards.  Shortly afterwards Harriers had another good chance to take the lead; Guinan fed the ball to Marc Williams on the left, he slipped it inside to Vincent who saw his shot well saved by Farman.

Harriers began to fade and allow the visitors to control more of the possession.  With ten minutes remaining Gateshead could have regained the lead; Eddie Odhiambo crossed from deep on the right for Shaw who saw his header pushed away by Lewis.  It was not long until the final goal, though, Odubade's low cross from the right turned in by Kris Gate.

In the closing moments Harriers threw everything forward and deep in stoppage time Lee Vaughan's cross was headed over the bar by substitute Luke Medley and then five minutes into stoppage time Marshall crossed from the left for Jamille Matt who saw his glancing header go wide of the far post.