AFC Wimbledon and 10-man Gillingham shared the spoils in a 1-1 draw which dropped the winless Gills to the foot of the League One table.

Both teams went into the match on the back of two successive defeats but the hosts started strongly, with Dean Parrett, Lyle Taylor and Anthony Hartigan all threatening early on.

With half an hour on the clock, the Dons did take the lead in fortuitous circumstances through Andy Barcham’s right foot.

The winger swung in a cross in from the left flank meant for Gabriel Zakuani that tucked into the bottom right-hand corner of the net untouched.

A scuffle at the end of the first half caused by a Taylor challenge saw Lee Martin red-carded but the visitors still went into the break level, Sean Clare sneaking a weak effort into the net through a host of bodies.

Wimbledon piled on the pressure in the second period but were unable to find a winning goal, with the Gills’ Tom Eaves forcing George Long into a save.

The introduction of former Gills striker Cody McDonald added to the contingent facing his old side, but he was unable to inspire the home side to victory, whilst the visitors clung on for a point.

That point however wasn’t enough to stop Gillingham from dropping to the bottom of the league and they now go into Saturday’s game against Charlton Athletic at Priestfield desperate for their first league win of the season.

 

AFC Wimbledon line up: Long, Fuller, Francomb, Nightingale, Oshilaja, Parrett (Kaja 82), Hartigan, Trotter, Appiah (McDonald 70), Taylor, Barcham (Forrester 70).

Subs not used: McDonnell, Sibbick, Egan, Kalambayi.

Goal: Barcham (35).

Booked: Oshilaja (42), Taylor (45+3), Nightingale (65)

Gillingham line up: Holy, O’Neill, Ogilvie, Lacey, Zakuani, Byrne, Clare, Wagstaff, Martin, Eaves, Wilkinson (Parker 66).

Subs not used: Ehmer, Hessenthaler, Nugent, Oldaker, Cundle, Arnold.

Goal: Clare (45+4).

Sent Off: Martin (45+3).

Booked: Wagstaff (45+3), Eaves (81), Byrne (82).

Referee: Mr Nick Kinseley.

Attendance: 3,819 (411 Gills)