A hat-trick from Stephen Wearne sealed an emphatic 4-1 National League win for Gateshead over Ebbsfleet at the Gateshead International Stadium.

Wearne struck three times in the last half hour as the home side pulled away from their opponents having entered the interval all square.

Kenton Richardson’s deflected effort had given the home side the lead but Ebbsfleet were level when Dominic Poleon capitalised on a spill by Gateshead keeper Archie Mair.

Ebbsfleet keeper Mark Cousins saved superbly to deny Marcus Dingana and Luke Hannant and send his side in level at half-time.

But a rare mistake by the visiting keeper gave Wearne the chance to slot Gateshead’s second after 55 minutes, and nine minutes later Wearne chipped home from the penalty spot after being brought down in the box.

Wearne completed his hat-trick in stoppage time and Ebbsfleet’s miserable day was complete when Poleon’s last-ditch penalty hit the woodwork.