Simon Weaver and his Harrogate Town side suffered their second defeat of pre-season as two goals in seven minutes from Gateshead ensured their victory in this evening's pre-season friendly.

Jordan Hunter grabbed the first goal of the encounter on 73 minutes before a Gateshead trialist scored a fantastic volley 10 minutes from full-time. 

There was much change to the line-up who started Saturday's victory over South Shields. Jack Muldoon, Dean Cornelius and Lewis Thomas were amongst those to return to the 11. 

Town started the match on the front foot as quick feet from Sam Folarin helped him to skip past the Gateshead full-back on the way to the by-line but his cutback was intercepted. 

The National League side soon regained composure and sought to pose questions of the Town unit. This culminated in Warren Burrell being caught in possession within his own 18-yard box but a quick recovery paired with a strong clearance from Thomas ensured the danger was contained to a minimum. 

Not to be deterred, the Town front line worked hard to put pressure on the Gateshead backline. This press would be rewarded with an opportunity for Muldoon to slip through Matty Daly on 18 minutes but the pass trickled through to a grateful goalkeeper.

With little over 20 minutes played, Gateshead had a chance to ask the first serious question of Thomas in the Town net. A fantastic weighted pass from Pani sent Olley through on goal but the club captain's effort was right at the Town number 13. 

With the home side working hard to build from the back, a poor pass from Mair in goal gave Muldoon a golden opportunity to open the scoring but his low effort whistled just beyond the post. 

As the clock hit the 50 minute mark, Gateshead thought they should have had a penalty when a block from Warren Burrell went out for a corner. However, the referee waved the protests away. 

Next it would be Abraham Odoh who would go close to breaking the deadlock. The chance coming as a result of some fantastic play by Matty Daly but the Town number 9 dragged his shot wide of the far post. 

With little over 20 to go, a sweet strike from Ed Francis of Gateshead had Thomas stretching for the top corner but the powerful, 25 yard shot was narrowly over. 

This proved to be a sign of things to come, Gateshead working an attack down the Town right and force a strong save from Thomas but the Town 'keeper's save is straight into the path of Hunter who converted with a powerful drive into the bottom corner. 

Seven minutes later it was two, a Gateshead trialist with a well executed volley from the edge of the box which nestled in the bottom corner and doubled the lead for the home side. 

Odoh thought he had pulled one back in the dying seconds, his curling effort looked destined for the bottom corner but a Gateshead block ensured the scores remained the same. 

Town round up their pre-season fixture schedule when we head to Hartlepool on Friday night.