Aldershot Town returned to winning ways with a 1-0 win at home to Gateshead in the National League.

An early goal from Brody Peart was enough to fire the Shots to victory in front of a crowd of 1,618 at the EBB Stadium.

The Shots were quick out of the traps and got off to the perfect start, taking the lead in the fifth minute. Ollie Harfield’s through ball sent Basil Tuma in on goal, and Tuma drove into the box before hitting a low right-footed shot which was parried by Gateshead keeper Pete Jameson to Peart, who stayed composed and took a touch before firing home his left-footed finish.

Aldershot nearly doubled their advantage on 15 minutes after a free-flowing move. Tuma flicked the ball on to Tristan Abrahams, who unselfishly squared the ball to Hakeem Sandah to his left, who had time to set himself and hit a powerful shot goalwards which was parried behind for a corner by Jameson.

The Shots went close again three minutes later when Sandah tried to wriggle his way through in the box before the ball dropped to Abrahams, whose first-time left-footed shot on the turn was deflected out for a corner.

Aldershot continued to be on the front foot and had another good opportunity in the 22nd minute when Sandah whipped in an inviting cross from the left to Abrahams, who flicked his header just wide of the far post.

The Shots went close again three minutes later when Peart drilled an inviting low ball across the box from the right, but no one was able to get on the end of it.

Aldershot had another good opportunity on the half-hour mark when Tuma played a lovely crossfield ball out to Sandah on the left, who cut inside and fired a powerful right-footed shot goalwards which a flying Jameson tipped over the bar.

Shots boss Scott Davies was forced into an enforced substitution in the 35th minute, with Jacob Borgnis replacing the injured Conor Lawless.

Aldershot went close again on 42 minutes when Abrahams held the ball up and played it round the corner to Borgnis, whose through ball sent Peart in down the right, and Peart drove forward into the box before drilling his low right-footed shot just wide of the far post.

The visitors nearly equalised before the break when Harry Chapman’s cross found Ben Williams at the far post, whose header hit the post.

The Shots had the first opportunity of the second half when Sandah played in Tuma, who drove forward and found Abrahams in the box, who dragged his effort just wide of the far post.

Gateshead nearly found a leveller in the 54th minute when Sam Bowen’s corner found Thomas Lavery, whose close-range effort forced an excellent save from Shots keeper Nick Hayes.

Davies had to make a second enforced change on the hour mark, with Jack Matton replacing the injured Tyrese Dyce.

The visitors had an excellent opportunity to equalise on 74 minutes when Alex Lankshear showed neat feet in the box before firing a powerful right-footed shot goalwards which was parried away to safety by Hayes.

Gateshead went close again two minutes later when Jordy Hiwula’s effort hit the outside of the right-hand post.

Davies made a double change in the 80th minute, with Marcus Wyllie and Marcus Dinanga replacing Sandah and Abrahams.

The Shots managed to see out the closing stages professionally to claim all three points and return to winning ways.

Next up for the Shots is a home game against Ipswich Town’s under-21s in the National League Cup on Tuesday, November 3 (7.45pm kick-off).

Aldershot Town: Nick Hayes, Tyrese Dyce (Jack Matton 60), Kiki Oshilaja, Michael Stickland, Ollie Harfield, Conor Lawless (Jacob Borgnis 35), Dominic Odusanya, Brody Peart, Basil Tuma, Hakeem Sandah (Marcus Wyllie 80), Tristan Abrahams (Marcus Dinanga 80).

Unused substitutes: Charlie Patmore, Joe Lewis-Evans, Anisius Lewis.

Gateshead: Pete Jameson, Thomas Lavery (Freddie Issaka 80), Ben Williams, David Ferguson, Alex Lankshear, Fenton John, Josh Home, Sam Bowen, Billy Chadwick (Ashley Boatswain 83), Harry Chapman, Jordy Hiwula (Joshua Anifowose 83).

Unused substitutes: Preston Leech, Jack Robinson, Rocco Coyle, Kyle Ferguson.

Attendance: 1,618 (37 away).

Referee: Tolu Sangowawa. Assistant referees: Steven Plane, James Hurst. Fourth official: Marc Wilson.