The Heed controlled the game early on but struggled to make their dominance pay as Patrick McLaughlin and Danny Johnson spurned good chances.
Reece Thompson punished them for not taking advantage just after the half-hour mark, nipping in front to poke home Taron Hare's fierce delivery from the left.
James Bolton hit the bar with a header and Gateshead camped in the hosts' half for long periods after the break, but it was to no avail as North Ferriby climbed one place to 23rd.
Report supplied by the Press Association.
Match ends, North Ferriby United 1, Gateshead 0.
Second Half ends, North Ferriby United 1, Gateshead 0.
Substitution, North Ferriby United. Jake Skelton replaces Ryan Fallowfield.
Reece Thompson (North Ferriby United) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Substitution, North Ferriby United. Connor Oliver replaces Ross Armstrong.
Substitution, Gateshead. Luke Hannant replaces Russell Penn.
Russell Penn (Gateshead) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Substitution, North Ferriby United. Curtis Bateson replaces Danny Emerton.
Substitution, Gateshead. Jordan Burrow replaces Patrick McLaughlin.
Substitution, Gateshead. Wes York replaces James Bolton.
Second Half begins North Ferriby United 1, Gateshead 0.
Ryan Fallowfield (North Ferriby United) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
First Half ends, North Ferriby United 1, Gateshead 0.
Goal!  North Ferriby United 1, Gateshead 0. Reece Thompson (North Ferriby United).
First Half begins.
Lineups are announced and players are warming up.
National League strugglers North Ferriby stun Gateshead at Grange Lane to climb off the bottom of the table.