It will be a long time before goal line technology makes its way down to the National League, but it would have cleared up the major incident of this game as Bromley snatched a controversial 88th minute winner against second placed Gateshead at Hayes Lane to record their first win of the season on Saturday.
Lining up 3-5-2 Bromley looked a more solid unit, even without injured captain Jack Holland, if not lacking a bit in creativity going forward.
They started on the front foot with early pressure, but failed to create any real chances and it was Heed who had the first real opportunity when JJ O’Donnell headed a cross wide.
The Ravens continued to press and it was Omar Bugeil who had their first real chance when he tried to chip Aynsley Pears, but the visitors’ keeper managed to get a hand to the ball.
Cameron Salkeld put a chance wide and Luke Armstrong forced a save from David Gregory as Gateshead came into things, while Bromley put plenty of aerial pressure on the Heed defence, but found no way through the Heed defence.
The half ended after a lengthy delay for treatment to Referee Simeon Lucas after he was struck in the face by the ball, the official so badly hurt he was unable to continue in the second half.
Gateshead made the early running in the second period, Armstrong seeing his goal bound shot deflected wide by Jake Goodman.
Cameron Thomson shot over soon after before Bromley battled back into things. Roger Johnson had a header saved from a long George Porter throw in and debutant John Goddard fired wide after good work by Frankie Sutherland.
As the game opened up O’Donnell had a shot saved by Gregory, before the only goal of the game came two minutes from time. Porter again launched a long throw, which Johnson flicked on to sub Junior Ogedi-Uzokwe whose diving header hit the underside of the bar and bounced down over the line according to the linesman.
Despite furious protests from the visitors stand in Referee Scott Rudd awarded the goal and The Ravens held on for the final few minutes to record their first win of the season.
Bromley now travel to league leaders Wrexham next Saturday before returning home to entertain Havant & Waterlooville on Bank Holiday Monday.
Bromley: Gregory, Adebayo-Rowling (Meekums 79), Raymond, Okoye, Goodman, R Johnson, Higgs, Sutherland, Porter, Goddard (D Johnson 90), Bugeil (Uzokwe 68).
Subs Not Used: Huxter, Taylor.
Gateshead: Pears, Tinkler, Hunter, Kerr, Olley, Armstrong, Rigg (White 61), Mellish, O’Donnell, Salkeld (Thomson 45), Boden.
Subs Not Used: Foden, Maloney, Devitt.
Goal: Bromley – Ogedi-Uzokwe 88mins.
Referee: Lucas – first half, Rudd – second half.
Attendance: 1078