JOSH Gillies' free kick ten minutes before time secured a point for Gateshead against Grimsby Town at a freezing cold Victoria Park tonight.

Gateshead, playing their 'home game' at Hartlepool because the surface at the International Stadium remains unfit, were looking to bounce back from the 3-0 defeat to Dartford last time out.

With Grimsby, without several players following their exertions at Wembley in the FA Trophy final on Sunday, leading through Andy Thanoj's smart shot on 47 minutes, the points seemed to be going the fifth placed side's way.

But Gillies made the most of his opportunity sending a right-footed curler past James McKeown on 79 minutes.

Anth Smith's side were first to fire a shot in anger in the first half, James Brown turning smartly in the box and firing in a right-footed strike which McKeown got down well to save.

Gillies then fired over after he was allowed space in midfield 25 yards out.

Grimsby showed plenty of attacking intent, but play too often broke down in the swirling wind.

Jamie Devitt was unlucky to see his free-kick from a central position come back off the bar with Gateshead keeper Adam Bartlett just a spectator and the Mariners should perhaps have gone it at the break a goal up when Tom Naylor shot over when seven yards out with the goal at his mercy.

Two minutes after the restart Gateshead were a goal down. Paddy Boyle fouled Dale Southwell on the right edge of the box and when the resultant free kick was cleared badly, Thanoj drilled home through a crowd of players.

Devitt hit the inside of the post with another rasping shot on 70 minutes before Gateshead sparked into action, Jamie Chandler spurning two good opportunities.

Then, with the clock winding down and Grimsby seemingly in control, came the free kick.

Some observers viewed it a little soft, but Gillies didn't care, and celebrated in style.