Jovan Malcolm’s first-half double proved enough for Gateshead to beat National League play-off rivals Forest Green 3-2.

Malcolm scored at the start and conclusion of the opening 45 minutes before Liam Humbles added a third for the away side.

Gateshead boss Carl Magnay was made to sweat late on, though, as an 87th-minute own-goal by George Shelvey was followed by Christian Doidge’s stoppage-time strike, but the away side held on to move up to fifth.

Only 41 seconds had been played at The New Lawn Stadium when Malcolm fired in at the near post to help Gateshead make the perfect start.

A second followed a minute before half-time when Malcolm reacted quickest inside the area to fire home and Humbles’ brilliant individual effort after 62 minutes appeared to wrap up the points.

Forest Green were given the most unlikely of lifeline’s with three minutes left when Regan Booty’s lofted pass from midway inside his own half to Gateshead goalkeeper Shelvey could only be inadvertently headed into his own net.

It woke up the home crowd but while Doidge fired in a second during seven minutes of stoppage time, Gateshead held on to move two spots behind third-placed Forest Green.