Wood took what is on the face of it an excellent point at Gateshead thanks to Ricky Shakes' levelled three minutes from the end.
Heed looked the better side once Wes York had turned in a cross for 1-0 on the half hour.
They couldn't put the game to bed and Garrard's team hit them with a classic sucker punch.
The Wood manager was pleased his team kept plugging away and took something from their trip to the north east - but knows fortune was on their side.
"We kept going and kept in the game," said the manager, who hopes his team can be promotion contenders this season.
"We probably didn't deserve a point on the face of it and maybe luck as on our side a little.
"We didn't create many chances but we have managed to come away with a draw."
Boreham Wood are back on home turf on Saturday when they take on a well-rested Eastleigh.