Ex-Newcastle defender Mike Williamson has warning for Gateshead squad after dramatic penalty shoot-out drama

Gateshead players celebrate after their goalkeeper Bradley James save the last penalty in a penalty shootout to win the Vanarama National League North Play-Off match between Brackley Town and Gateshead.

A penalty shoot-out win at Brackley Town on Sunday saw the Heed set up a semi-final tie at Boston United on Saturday.

Williamson’s side will travel to York Street in confidence after stretching their run of form to just one defeat in their last 13 games.

And they will also take heart from the fact that they have already completed a league double over the Pilgrims.

However, the former Newcastle United defender stressed that his side can’t afford to dwell on their win at Brackley.

“It’s just going to get tougher for us,” Williamson told The Echo.

“As much as it’s nice to enjoy a win, it doesn’t mean anything.

“We have got to make sure we are focused on our recovery and our next training session.

“We now have to get our minds on that.”

Williamson reflected on an eventful win at Brackley as on-loan Middlesbrough goalkeeper Brad James made three saves in the penalty shoot-out to help his side into the last four of the play-offs.

The young stopper was beaten by a stunning long-range strike from hosts midfielder Shane Byrne just before half-time as he cancelled out Jake Cooper’s opener less than 60 seconds earlier.

But James recovered to put in an assured performance during the second-half of an intriguing encounter at St James Park.

His moment of glory came when the tie went into a penalty shoot-out and James denied both Glenn Walker and Llorell Smith, before keeping out the decisive spot-kick from Ellis Myles to ensure that the Heed came out on top.

Williamson believes that the Boro youngster has shown enough during his loan spell on Tyneside to suggest that he will go on to have a “long and successful career”.

“I said at half-time that he (James) is one of the main reasons why we are in the play-offs and that he will get his moment.

“He has proved it.

“Brad will make mistakes throughout his career because he is going to have a long and successful career.”

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