Josh Shonibare scored his first Maidstone goal to salvage a draw against fellow strugglers Gateshead.

A point does little for the Stones’ slim National League survival hopes but it’s better than nothing.

Shonibare’s header earned a share of the spoils after George Fowler’s own goal gave the Heed a half-time lead.

Maidstone were the better side, denied by the woodwork twice in the first half, but a first league victory since November eluded them.

Sol Wanjau-Smith made his first start for the club after an injury-hit debut campaign at the Gallagher.

He replaced Regan Booty in the only change from the midweek home defeat by Eastleigh.

The summer signing lasted 88 minutes before injury struck again - hopefully no more than an impact knock.

Wanjau-Smith had an early effort blocked after James Alabi forced a mistake in the Heed defence, while Sha’mar Lawson saw a cracking first-time strike come back off the underside of the bar as Maidstone made a promising start.

However, they fell behind in the 18th minute in unfortunate circumstances with Fowler heading the ball past Dan Barden as he stooped to cut out Dan Ward’s cross.

Gateshead had a good spell after the goal, moving the ball nicely at times and spraying passes to the flanks.

Jack Barham poked wide at the near post after a good run by Wanjau-Smith as Maidstone looked to regain a foothold.

But there was a let-off at the other end when Marcus Dinanga’s flick played in Adam Campbell, who looked certain to score, but Barden made the block.

Maidstone were denied by the woodwork again when Alabi’s header from a Roarie Deacon corner was touched on to the post by Heed keeper Filip Marschall.

The visitors finished the half on top, though, with two big chances at the near post for ex-Dartford striker Dinanga.

Barden made an excellent reflex save to keep out the first while Dinanga got the second opportunity all wrong after Greg Olley laid the ball on a plate just a couple of yards out.

Maidstone were back in business three minutes into the second half.

Wanjau-Smith drove through the middle before Deacon fed Jerome Binnom-Williams, whose cross was headed home at the far post by Shonibare.

That lifted the crowd and soon after Alabi nodded wide from Deacon’s corner before missing a connection by inches after throwing himself at Barham’s right-wing cross.

Maidstone captain Binnom-Williams went off injured midway the through the half and while that was a blow, it meant a first appearance in more than a year for Raphe Brown after recovering from an ankle injury.

Fowler saw a free header drop narrowly wide from Deacon’s free-kick as United went close again.

At the other end, substitute Will Harris might have made more of a good shooting opportunity on the edge of the box.

Maidstone: Barden, Jobe, Fowler, Binnom-Williams (Brown 62mins), Shonibare, Bone, Lawson, Deacon, Barham, Alabi (Marshall 82mins), Wanjau-Smith (Walters 88mins). Subs not used: Mersin, Jeche.

Gateshead: Marschall, Tinkler, Storey, Pye, Richardson, Whelan (Pani 89mins), Conteh, Olley, Ward (Harris 77mins), Dinanga, Campbell. Subs not used: Montgomery, Williamson, Magnay.

Referee: Jason Richardson.

Attendance: 2,070 (56 away).