Gillingham were denied all three points after a controversial decision by referee Scott Mathieson robbed them of victory at Valley Parade.

Lewis Montrose had given The Gills the lead in the 25th minute with a well taken header and they seemed to be cruising to a win when Scott Ramsden put past his own keeper eleven minutes into the second half.

Substitute Nahki Wells put the home side back in it with nineteen minutes to go and the home side were gifted a goal with just six minutes to go in the most bizarre cirumstances.

James Hanson poked the ball home, whilst Wells was flagged for being clearly offside, but the linesman and referee were persuaded by the Bradford players to award the goal and Gillingham were to make the long journey home with a distinct sense of injustice.

The game started so well for the hosts and it was they that applied the early pressure, forcing a succession of corners, but were unable to make their dominance count against a Gillingham side that saw four changes from the side that lost to Crawley Town on Tuesday night.

Neither keeper were truly tested in the opening twenty minutes, with Gillingham’s goal coming as a bolt out of the blue, surprising the home fans.

Danny Jackman’s ball out to Jo Kuffour didn’t seem to be troubling the Bradford defence, but Kuffour’s quality ball across goal was in the right place for Lewis Montrose to head home at the far post.

Minutes later and James Hanson thought he’d levelled, but it was deemed offside, something that was to later prove to be something of a taster of things to come.

The second half started like the first with the home side pressing forward, but yet again it was Gillingham that scored as Simon Ramsden put the ball past his own keeper trying to intercept Jo Kuffour’s through ball with Jordan Obita putting the Bradford defender under pressure.

On the hour mark, Bradford thought they were back in it when Nakhi Wells clipped the ball home, but yet again the linesman flagged for offside.

Wells wasn’t to be denied though as just eleven minutes later he headed home former Charlton winger Kyel Reid’s free kick for 2-1.

With Gillingham looking to try and run the clock down and just six minutes left on the clock, Hanson fired home Reid’s cross and initially the linesman flagged for offside against Wells who was in front of Gazzaniga and clearly interfering with play.

The shot had gone through Wells’ legs and straight away it looked as though the goal would be chalked off.

After much deliberation, and following a long delay that saw the Bradford players surround the linesman and the referee, Scott Mathieson controversially awarded the goal to the delight of the home fans and to the dismay of the 209 travelling Gillingham fans.

Lewis Montrose fired into the side netting as time was running out, whilst at the other end Bradford thought they had nicked all three points when Craig Fagan fired home, but this time the goal was chalked off for an earlier foul on Paulo Gazzaniga.

The full-time whistle saw Andy Hessenthaler and the Gillingham players surround the referee as their sense of injustice was clear to see, but Mr Mathieson disappeared off down the tunnel to safety.

FULL TIME: BRADFORD CITY 2-2 GILLINGHAM

The point keeps Gillingham ninth in League Two, four points behind Oxford United in seventh place and a trip to Burton Albion beckons for Andy Hessenthaler’s side on Tuesday night.

Bradford line up: McLaughlin, Ramsden (Wells 61), Fry, Oliver, Hansen, Ravenhill (Syers H/T), Dagnall, Bullock, Reid, Davies, Fagan.   Subs not used: Annerson, Smalley, Kozluk.

Goals: Wells (71), Hanson (84).

Booked: Fry (80).

Gills line up: Gazzaniga, Fish, Essam, Frampton, Martin, Whelpdale, Montrose, Jackman, J Payne, Obita (Oli 73), Kuffour (Vine 78).   Subs not used: King, O Lee, Miller.

Goals: Montrose (25), Ramsden (og 56).

Booked: Fish (90).

Referee: Mr S Mathieson

Assts: Mr G Johnson & Mr C O’Donnell

Attendance: 9,858 (209 Gills)