Gillingham’s Wimbledon jinx struck again as Steve Evans’ side sunk to an 89th minute sucker punch and defeat on their first ever visit to the “new” Plough Lane.
After bossing long periods of the second half without really creating clear chances, the Gills looked like getting a point against a club they have only ever beaten three times in what is now fourteen meetings.
But then in the final minute of what in truth was a disappointing League One game, Jack Rudoni drove home the winner with just the home side’s second attempt on target in the whole game.
The Gills had enjoyed the better of the second period, but in reflection, the manager will be left scratching his head as to how his side only had a solitary shot on target themselves in the whole of the ninety plus minutes.
Evans made three changes from the weekend’s win over Bristol Rovers with Robbie McKenzie, Vadaine Oliver and Tom O’Connor coming in for the injured Callum Slattery, Jordan Graham and Alex MacDonald, who both dropped to the bench.
After a cagey opening, the Gills had the first real chance on fifteen minutes when Oliver went close with a header from Ryan Jackson’s cross – the striker flashed the chance narrowly past the post.
The home side probed but were limited to long range efforts and it was the visitors who went close again – on the half hour – when Connor Ogilvie connected with O’Connor’s free kick but just as Oliver before him, the defender couldn’t direct his effort on target.
The home side had their best opportunities of the opening half in the closing stages as first Jack Bonham denied Ryan Longman with a really good low save after the Dons man beat Jackson after dispossessing Kyle Dempsey before in stoppage time, Rudoni got on the end of a Nesta Guinness-Walker cross only for his effort to be well blocked.
Just as at the weekend, Evans made two changes at the break with Graham and Stuart O’Keefe replacing Olly Lee and McKenzie, and it seemed to kick start the visitors with Graham twice going close in the opening minutes of the half. First, he had a shot well saved by keeper Sam Walker before in the Gills next attack, he was denied by a last gasp block. Graham then turned provider for Robbie Cundy, but the on-loan defender was wide with his header.
Cundy then went close with another header – this time from O’Keefe’s cross – just before the hour as the visitors created the better chances as the half wore on with Oliver shooting wide when well-placed after being found by John Akinde’s delightful lay off as the game entered its’ final twenty minutes.
As the game seemed to be meandering towards a goal-less draw, the Gills Wimbledon jinx struck in the cruellest fashion in the final minute as Rudoni’s drive flew into the top corner of Bonham’s net.
Disappointment for Gillingham and another bafflingly poor performance against the Dons – are they officially the Gills bogey side? Whatever the answer to that question, one thing is certain, Evans and his side are in danger of becoming marooned in no man’s land in League One as this strangest of seasons approaches the final stages…
AFC WIMBLEDON – Walker, Johnson, Heneghan, Nightingale, Guinness-Walker, Woodyard, Dobson, Rudoni, Chislett (McLoughlin 82), Longman (Osew 91), Piggott.
Subs not used: O’Neill, Csoka, Alexander, Tzanev, Oksanen.
Goal: Rudoni (89).
GILLINGHAM – Bonham. Jackson, Tucker, Cundy, Ogilvie, McKenzie (O’Keefe 45), Dempsey, O’Connor (Johnson 84), Lee (Graham 45), Oliver, Akinde.
Subs not used: Morton, Willock, Bastien, MacDonald.
Booked: O’Keefe (91).
REFEREE – Mr Paul Howard
Picture supplied by Gillingham Football Club.