A solitary goal from Danny Johnson consigned Dagenham & Redbridge to a 1-0 defeat – their third loss in four games.
The long trip to the banks of the Tyne was always going to be difficult, with the hosts the form team in the Vanarama National League.
However, they struggled to get much going in an attacking sense and failed to really test James Montgomery in the Gateshead goal.
Both sides hit the woodwork in the opening 45 minutes but it was the hosts who had the better chances overall.
Oliver Hawkins had the first chance of the game, steering a Fejire Okenabihre cross just wide after six minutes, but then Gateshead took over and really should have scored.
Jordan Burrow sent one on the turn inches wide of the far post and Paddy McLaughlin volleyed another over.
Shaun Donnellan put in a great block to deny Wes York and the midfielder then rattled the top of the Daggers crossbar when he was given too much time to dribble forward.
But slowly Dagenham came back into it and carved a number of half-chances.
Okenabihre was looking the most likely to make something happen for the visitors and one low cross was just too far in front of Hawkins.
Craig Robson came the closest to getting Daggers off the mark, picking up an errant clearance in a dangerous position but hitting the outside of the near post.
At half-time you got the impression that Dagenham could use how they finished the half to build on in the second period.
Those hopes disppeared instantly with Johnson’s goal, which was expertly steered in at the near post from a James Bolton cross.
It meant they had to come out more, and to be fair they did, but despite the extra possession and territory, they failed to convert it into chances.
Jordan Maguire-Drew’s introduction just past the halfway mark did make a difference and the substitute had two goes to find his range before hitting a wonderful volley over his shoulder on the third attempt. Unfortunately it just went wide.
A succession of corners late on brought no reward and Gateshead could have wrapped it up on the break on a number of occasions, Donnellan making a vital interception for one and Elliot Justham saving another.
The win moves Gateshead to within two points of the play-off places.
For Dagenham the downturn in results continue and will be a worry for the management although they remain inside the top four.
Dagenham: Justham, Widdowson (Maguire-Drew 68), Doe, Donnelan, Robson, Boucard, Raymond, Sheppard, Guttridge (Grant 84), Okenabirhe, Hawkins (Benson 77)
Subs (not used): Cousins, Staunton
Goals:
Gateshead: Montgomery, Bolton, G.Smith (Beere 70), York (Brundle 83), Hogan, M.Smith, Fyfield, Mafuta, McLaughlin, Johnson, Burrow
Subs (not used): Hanford, Bell, Hannant
Goals: Johnson 48
HT: Gateshead 0 Dagenham & Redbridge 0
Attendance: 1,030 (175 from Dagenham)
Referee: Anthony Backhouse (Cumbria)
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