After conceding in first half stoppage time, Gillingham grabbed manager John Coleman a point on his return to Accrington Stanley as Max Clark’s stunner four minutes into added time at the end of the game sealed a point in a 1-1 draw. 

As the visitors looked like that they had got to half time level, Benn Ward’s goal from Ben Clark’s free-kick gave the home side the lead and it was a lead that would remain largely untroubled until four and half minutes into stoppage time at the end of the game when Clark was on hand to receive a quickly taken Amani Little free-kick, and he unleashed a drive that Stanley keeper Billy Crellin stood admiring the strike as it flew into the home net. 

For his return Accrington, the Gills boss named the same side who has beaten Bradford City seven days earlier, and it was the visitors with Jimmy-Jay Margan having the first chance of the game with a low drive that flew narrowly wide! 

Joe Gbode headed a Romeao Hutton cross wide before Glenn Morris pulled off a remarkable double save to keep the scoreline blank – Jake Batty forced the Gills keeper into a fine save but the save that Morris pulled off to deny Woods’ follow was nothing less that break-taking as the Cat did brilliantly to claw the ball out of the top corner! 

The home side broke the deadline on the stroke of half-time as Ward diverted Woods free kick into the Gillingham net and the visitors were behind! 

Gillingham started the second period well but didn’t create a chance worthy or note to test Crellin as the second period turning into a completely testing half for both sides in a game neither dared lose. 

Jake Woods had Stanley’s “best” chance but shot over and the game                                                   looked as if it would drift to what many saw as the inevitable 1-0 home win before Clark struck as he took the short free-kick from Little before comfortably beating Crellin from the angle to give Gillingham a point that keeps the gap between Coleman’s side and the bottom two still at two points! 

ACCRINGTON STANLEY – Crellin, Love, Rawson, Billy Woods, Mooney (Grant), Ward, Batty (Quirk), Matthews, Walton, Conneely (Coyle), O’Brien-Whitmarsh (Jake Woods) 

Subs – Kelly, Caton, Aljofree 

GILLINGHAM – Morris, Hutton, Smith, Masterson (Ehmer), Gale, Max Clark, McKenzie (Jonny Williams), Little, Morgan (Khumbeni), Gbode (Wakeling), Hawkins (Nevitt) 

Subs – Turner, Corness 

REFEREE – Mr. Breakspear 

Image courtesy of Gillingham FC