SCOTT Neilson and Lenell John-Lewis took the headlines – but Paul Hurst deserves credit for his perfectly-implemented game- plan.
While last season's play-off semi-final at the International Stadium saw Gateshead dominate possession by passing the ball out from the back, Saturday was a very different story.
Jon-Paul Pittman and Neilson were the key men in a 4-3-3 system that pressurised the hosts' full-backs and cut off the supply to the Tynesiders' dangerous midfield.
It worked like a charm as time and again the Mariners won possession in the final third and headed straight for the home end – resulting in six scintillating goals.
"We came with a gameplan and I think the first three goals, in particular, came from that," said a delighted boss, Hurst.
"It's always pleasing when something comes off that you've worked on during the week.
"We went 4-3-3 and that can sometimes be a risk if people think you're changing just for them. But it was about trying to press the game higher up the pitch and causing damage.
"I looked at it and went with a team with a specific gameplan in mind. More often than not I would concentrate more on ourselves and not change for teams.
"On Saturday, I think it was justified and thankfully as a manager I've seen it work – there's plenty of times when you try to change things and it doesn't!"
Pre-match, Alan Connell and Craig Disley were the big names missing from the starting XI.
Pittman and Craig Clay were the benefactors, as Paul Hurst reverted to a back-four, with Toto Nsiala moving to right-back and Carl Magnay to the left.
Paddy McLaughlin's low free-kick was diverted over the home crossbar by Pittman as the Mariners started brightly.
Then came a massive, early slice of luck for Town as Craig Baxter hammered a back-pass past debutant keeper Alex Baird and into the far corner of the goal.
After a stunned silence, the Mariners enjoyed the moment – and a welcome dose of karma after Baxter's role in last season's play-off defeat.
The Tynesiders appeared to be gradually hauling themselves into the clash – with Marcus Maddison firing wide of James McKeown's goal – when Town doubled their advantage.
There were 14 minutes gone when Neilson found himself in acres of space 30 yards from goal, and he didn't hesitate before lashing a piledriver into the top corner, past the helpless Baird.
It was a fabulous strike – and a moment of redemption for the Town man, who was returning from his red card at the International Stadium on May 4.
The hosts were rattled, and Lenell John-Lewis almost made them pay again – hammering over the bar from a tight angle. The big striker won a corner shortly after, which Jamie Chandler had to bundle off the line for another set-play.
Gateshead showed last season that they are no pushovers, and came roaring back with Magnay superbly blocking Oster's drive before Phil Turnbull guided the rebound wide.
The Mariners continued to look dangerous, however, with Shaun Pearson planting a near post header wide from a McLaughlin corner.
Chandler and Maddison (twice) fired further 25-yarders past McKeown's goal as Town continued to defend resolutely on the edge of their own box.
Lewis Guy then nodded a free header off target, from former Mariner Alex Rodman's cross, as the visitors looked to hold out until half-time.
The pressure was upped again in the 39th minute as Maddison's excellent run and pass sent Chandler clear, but he could only force his first-time effort wide. McKeown was tested moments later, getting down low to stop Maddison's low drive.
But all Gateshead's pressure was for nothing as a mix-up between Ben Clark and Rodman – under pressure from Pittman – allowed John-Lewis to saunter through and fire a fine finish past Baird.
As the rain lashed down, Gary Mills made a desperate triple substitution at half-time.
But it was to no effect as the Mariners made it four, 45 seconds in, when Neilson found space in the box and fired into the bottom corner.
It could have been five when Nsiala's top-poke was touched over by Baird following a Town corner. Pearson also went close, but saw his header inadvertently blocked by John-Lewis on the line.
The hosts were never going to lie down, and pulled one back in the 55th minute when Rodman pulled the ball back from the right flank for Maddison to side-foot past McKeown.
Substitute JJ O'Donnell then cut inside Nsiala and tested the Town keeper with a low effort as the home crowd found their voice.
Town needed to weather the storm at 4-1, but almost added another themselves when McLaughlin skipped past a couple of challenges and fired past the near post.
And in the 66th minute, the visitors were denied a stonewall penalty after a fabulous passing move.
Superb link-up from Neilson and Magnay, a clever dummy from Scott Brown and a great touch from John-Lewis gave McLaughlin space.
The midfielder appeared to be brought down in the box before Pittman fired over the bar. Referee Adrian Holmes wasn't the slightest bit interested in Town's appeals, however.
O'Donnell and Tom Allan's headers were subsequently kept out by McKeown.
At the other end, Baird blocked John-Lewis' effort before the stopper tipped Neilson's free-kick over to deny the Town man a deserved hat-trick.
Town finally got their fifth, six minutes from time. Substitute Jack Mackreth served up a delicious cross for Disley to nod home at the far post – less than a minute after his arrival.
And there was still time, in the 94th minute, for John-Lewis to stroke home from the edge of the box to cap off a wonderful afternoon for the Mariners and their 288 travelling fans.
