A debut goal from new loan signing Mauro Vilhete was not enough as Boreham Wood pulled level from 2-0 down after just 11 minutes only to lose 3-2 at home to Gateshead in the National League.

Gus Mafuta and Danny Johnson put the visiting Heed in control after 11 minutes but within a minute of drawing level through Barnet loanee Vilhete, the Wood defence was again breached setting up a gung ho finale.

The real hero of the afternoon was 19-year-old Gateshead keeper Shaun MacDonald. He only made his debut last Saturday in the 2-1 defeat to Worcester City.

First choice keeper Sam Russell was named on the bench as Heed manager Malcolm Crosby kept faith with his young reserve, who pulled off a string of improbable second half saves to deny Luke Garrard’s men a share of the spoils.

Wood fell behind after just two minutes.

A long throw in from the right from Simon Ramsden was cleared by Scott Doe as far as Mafuta on the edge of the area. He was not closed down and sent a low drive through a sea of legs, taking at least one deflection before finding the back of the net.

With 11 minutes the hosts’ backline had been breached again.

Jordan Cranston found space on the left to feed Ryan Bowman. A static Wood defence playing a high line were undone by the run of Johnson who nipped between David Stephens and Callum Reynolds before firing under James Russell.

There had been a number of errors from a shaky Wood, yet Russell had just one save to make, picking out a Nathan Buddle header from under the crossbar from a corner, until the Wood fight back started after 25 minutes.

Anthony Jeffrey, making his first start in the National League, fully justified his inclusion, taking the game by storm.

Borehamwood Times:

The Arsenal Academy product had cut inside from the left wing and was running across the face of the penalty area when he was clipped from behind. Referee Adam Bromley pointed to the spot and Billy Clifford reduced the arrears with a precise strike from the spot.

The goal did wonders for the confidence and the performance improved drastically thereafter. Yet it was a mixture of the resolute defending shown by the visitors and Wood's inability, save for Jeffrey, to get the ball forward at pace that served to frustrate Garrard's men.

A mistake from Stephens almost gifted the Tynesiders a third goal, Russell on hand to save spare the former Barnet defender’s blushes.

Borehamwood Times:

At the other end only a superbly timed tackle by Ramsden inside the penalty area denied Jeffrey the chance to equalise.

The tone was set for the second half when visiting keeper MacDonald saved with his legs from namesake Charlie MacDonald.

With the half barely five minutes old MacDonald pulled off a quite remarkable save to keep the north east outfit in front.

A long clearance from Russell found Charlie MacDonald who laid up for Jeffrey. The tricky winger cut inside from the left to hit a powerful rising drive that was destined for the top right hand corner of the net, which was clawed one handed to safety.

The visitors were rocking and Garrard released Vilhete from the bench shortly before the hour to great effect.

Borehamwood Times:

But first a Doe free-kick was flicked on by Stephens for Mustafa Tiryaki, who hit a rasping shot that MacDonald did well to parry out to Jamie Lucas. The Bristol Rovers loanee had been on the field of play for less than a minute and saw his goal-bound header repelled brilliantly.

Gateshead responded with a counter attack through George Honeyman, which led to both Paddy McLaughlin and Matty Patterson having shots blocked in quick succession.

Vilhete, back at Meadow Park for a third stint, then reminded the Wood faithful what an exceptional talent he is.

Borehamwood Times:

Clovis Kamdjo poked the ball out to Jeffrey on the left and his cross was expertly swept home by the Portuguese to level the game.

All the hard work was ceremoniously undone two minutes later.

A lightning quick counter attack allowed Patrick McLoughlin to cross for Johnson whose shot was saved low by Russell. However, the Wood stopper was powerless to prevent Honeyman's follow-up shot from finding the bottom corner.

Gateshead were subjected to some heart-in-mouth moments in stoppage time with Wood refusing to roll over.

Kamdjo slid in at close-range with MacDonald saving with his legs. Then, in the final minute of time added on, Jeffrey saw his shot cleared off the line by MacDonald, with Lucas' follow-up cleared off the line by a defender, allowing MacDonald time to recover to block Vilhete's subsequent effort.

Speaking afterwards, Wood boss Garrard said: “We spoke about the fact that Gateshead score lots of goals early on in games and therefore and it was a massive disappointment in the manner in which we started the game.

“That said we clawed our way back into contention and then the defence got caught out of shape immediately after we equalized.

“However, there were some massive positives to take out of the day in terms of some of the individual performances. Anthony Jeffrey gave me everything and more.

“We looked very sharp after we made our substitutions and I have a lot more clarity than I did after our win against Hornchurch.

“In truth their goalkeeper has turned in a top class performance today, making some incredible saves.

“It is now important to focus on our trip to face Northwich Victoria in the FA Cup next Saturday.”

Boreham Wood: Russell; Woodards, Doe, Stephens, Reynolds; Jeffrey, Kamdjo, C.Clifford, B.Clifford (Vilhete 54); MacDonald (Lucas 65), Tiryaki ( Morias 86).

Subs not used: Shakes, Devera.