‘No better way to win a game’ said Boston United manager after stoppage time drama against Gateshead

He also said he was delighted for the players, supporters and the chairman after a barren spell that has seen his side sink into the National League drop zone.

Trailing 1-0 to the division's bottom side with only 11 minutes ago, sub Tom Cursons levelled on 79 minutes and then drove home a 95th minute winner.

“I think in the end we deserved it. It was near enough one-way traffic, though there were a couple of heart-in-mouth moments,” said Hurst.

“I am really pleased for everyone, especially the chairman, who will feel it more than anyone.

“Thankfully in the end tonight we got the goal.

“Gateshead were not happy with the timing of it, but I think it was a minimum of four minutes.

“I don't know how long their lad was down for injured, but it must have been four minutes in its own right. So to only get four minutes initially was disappointing for me because of us being in the ascendency.

“But it was a dramatic end and in many ways there is no better way to win a game.

“There was relief and an almost anger – and now we have to try to back it up.

“It was a game we came into with expectation that we should win because of Gateshead's plight.

“But, as I said beforehand, it is never that easy.

“They have had some games they have lost in which they have genuinely been unfortunate, and they have been in games.

“Yes they have had a couple of bad results as well, but nothing is easy, particularly when we have been struggling to win games of football.

“So full credit to the players. My only gripe is that you can't waste 45 minutes of football and that is what we did first half.

“You have to give the opposition some credit. They lined up a bit different to what we thought they might have done.

“But the difference in us playing forwards and playing with intensity was stark in terms of first half and second half. It is about will – that is the biggest factor.

“The substitutions made a difference for us tonight and we finished a hell of a lot stronger.

“Gateshead have some good players and some who have not been involved too much.

“I was disappointed their game was off on Friday night as I felt it gave them an advantage.”

Hurst said many of his players stepped up hugely after the break after a poor first half.

“First half we lacked an energy,” he said.

“Saturday there were a lot of good things. So I didn't recognise some of the players in that first half.

“Tyrell (Agyemang) got man of the match, but I said to him afterwards I think his brother was out there first half. He was an absolutely different player.

“He is a great footballer. He makes things happen and gets us playing, he finds a pass and he beats a man. And there were others as well.

“But Georgie Gent came on and gave us something different.

“Then Jack (Holmes) and Tom (Cursons) came on and in their own rights, Tom in an obvious sense, made a good impact.”

Hurst was unhappy with a string of decisions that went against his side, including a disallowed goal for Jake Rooney.

“I can't say I ever thought we were going to win it. There were a few things going on,” he said.

“We had a goal ruled out again. They are saying it was a definite pull.

“It's hard to tell, though I think there was some contact.

“Lenell John-Lewis had his shirt pulled off but the fourth official told me it wasn't for long.

“I don't understand what that means?

“Thankfully it hasn't cost us but a few things again felt like they were not quite falling for us.

“In years gone by it's felt like when you are at home you get more decisions than away. But I have not felt that way this season - and I am saying that on the back of a victory.”